So much for "fully open" by Friday. It could take months to remove mines.

[pat_k]

https://apnews.com/article/strait-of-hormuz-iran-us-shipping-war-01c1335e69e40f2ee921e25e59a18a71

Phillip Belcher, marine director of Intertanko, a trade group for global independent tanker owners, said the main central route of the Strait of Hormuz was still closed and has an estimated 80 mines that need to be cleared. But ships have been passing through the smaller northern route, which goes through Iranian waters, and the southern route, which goes through Omani waters.

However, it will take weeks or months to fully reopen the strait, and the two alternative routes don’t have as much capacity as the central passage in the Strait of Hormuz.

“This is like a highway where the road in the middle is closed and you’re using that hard shoulder,” Belcher said. “That’s now being used as the main route. We need to get back to having the highway open.”

Lloyd’s List estimated that 550 merchant ships will need to prepare to exit the Persian Gulf, including 160 tankers, 200 bulk carriers, 60 container ships and 10 vehicle carriers.

Back in April
Clearing Strait of Hormuz of mines could take 6 months, Pentagon tells Congress

Trump says Iran deal will 'fully open' the Strait of Hormuz by Friday