Strait of Hormuz Reopens to LNG Tankers Following US-Iran Accord

The French-flagged LNG tanker Mraikh cleared the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking a symbolic return to normalcy for the critical waterway. The transit followed a memorandum of understanding signed by President Donald Trump and Iranian officials, which mandated the immediate reopening of the passage after months of conflict-driven paralysis.

Editorial·June 18, 2026·reads: 1,960

Strait of Hormuz Reopens to LNG Tankers Following US-Iran Accord

Owned by a Nantes-based subsidiary of Norway’s Knutsen OAS Shipping, the Mraikh departed Ras Laffan, Qatar, carrying 76,535 tons of liquefied natural gas destined for Port Qasim, Pakistan. According to data from the tracking platform MarineTraffic, the vessel began its transit at approximately 2000 GMT on Wednesday. This movement coincided with the announcement that Tehran had committed to ending the blockade that had effectively halted most maritime traffic since February 28.

Since the onset of hostilities, only 15 LNG carriers have successfully navigated the strait, reflecting the extreme caution maintained by operators regarding the high-value cargo and the limited size of the global fleet. However, shipping activity surged on Thursday as AIS transponder signals showed a marked increase in vessels moving in both directions. By 1030 GMT, Kpler confirmed at least six commodity transport transits, signaling a return to pre-conflict daily averages.