Shipowners face contradictory guidance on navigating the Strait of Hormuz after Iran demanded prior permission and a coastal route, while the US and western insurers push vessels toward an Omani corridor under air cover. The clash leaves operators torn between possible Iranian penalties and exposure to U.S. sanctions, creating operational paralysis for a trade lane that handles a third of global oil and could disrupt schedules.

Traffic surged over the weekend, with 30 ships transiting in a 24‑hour period—the highest since the February 28 conflict began—after a US‑Iran memorandum lowered the risk rating from severe to moderate. Iran’s new Persian Gulf Strait Authority, sanctioned by Washington, now requires clearance, while the US‑backed “Guardian Angel” route promises naval protection and reassured crews of safety, deepening the split.

Industry executives say insurers are reluctant to prescribe a path, leaving decisions to captains who must balance safety, compliance and cost. The uncertainty threatens freight rates and could prompt rerouting of vessels to longer alternatives, squeezing margins for bulk carriers and tankers alike. Shipowners must now navigate policy discord as quickly as the strait itself.