Since the war between the United States and Iran began, about 200 ships have broken through the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
AFP reported on the 1st, citing shipping data analytics firm AXSMarine, that as of the 29th of last month, 913 merchant ships remained in the Gulf. That is an 18% decrease from 1,114 ships as of Feb. 28, when the war began.
Currently in the Gulf, by ship type, more than 270 oil tankers, some 20 liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, and about 30 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers remain. However, ships with no plans to leave the waters are included, so there could be a difference from the actual number of ships blockaded in the area, the explanation said.
By shipping line, MSC, the world's largest carrier, got 4 of its 15 ships out of the Strait of Hormuz. However, 2 of them were seized by Iran. Second-ranked Maersk left the same six container ships as in the early days of the war, and third-ranked CMA CGM got 2 of its 15 ships out.
The United States is considering an international coalition called the "Maritime Freedom Alliance" to resume passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Britain and France held an international summit last month aiming to establish a multinational mission to support navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.