First Ship Passes Through Strait of Hormuz During US-Iran Ceasefire

Maritime monitor Marine Traffic reports that two ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since Iran agreed to reopen the waterway as part of the ceasefire deal with the United States (US).

“The Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth crossed the strait at 08:44 UTC, while the Liberia-flagged Daytona Beach passed earlier at 06:59 UTC, shortly after departing Bandar Abbas at 05:28 UTC,” MarineTraffic stated on X, as reported by AFP on Wednesday (8/4/2026).

The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire, during which travel through the Strait of Hormuz “will be possible through coordination with the Iranian Armed Forces,” Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on X.

“The transit of NJ Earth may be an initial sign of movement, but it is still too early to say whether this reflects a broader reopening driven by the ceasefire or previously approved exceptions,” Ana Subasic, an analyst at Kpler, the owner of MarineTraffic, told AFP.

The Greek-owned vessel kept its transponder signal active while crossing the strait via the route approved by Iran near Larak Island, which has been used by most ships transiting the waterway over the past three weeks.

AFP could not immediately confirm the destination of the vessel.

“Although we expect more crossings in the coming days, from a risk and compliance perspective, this first transit should be read with caution,” Subasic added.

Several shipowners and charterers are preparing to move their vessels stuck in the Gulf, according to a report in shipping journal Lloyd’s List on Wednesday (8/4) morning. It is estimated that around 800 ships are currently trapped in the Gulf.

Access to the strait has been heavily restricted by Iran in retaliation for US and Israeli attacks since 28 February.

From 1 March to 7 April, commodity carriers have made 307 crossings, according to Kpler data, a 95% decrease from peacetime traffic. Around one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) passes through the waterway during peacetime.