Sources say that US-Iran peace talks may resume in Pakistan, and the Iranian foreign minister is due to arrive.

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• Strait of Hormuz: Only five ships can pass through in 24 hours

  Shipping data from Friday showed that only five ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, including an Iranian oil tanker. This is after Iran seized two container vessels this week, and the U.S. has continued to blockade Iranian ports. The shipping traffic that passes through the 'crucial waterway' at the entrance to?Gulf? during an uneasy ceasefire, between Washington and Tehran, represents only a fraction the 140 average daily passages prior to the Iran War beginning on February 28, 2008. "Most shipping companies will need to have a stable ceasefire, and both sides of conflict must reassure them that the Strait of Hormuz can be safely transited," Jakob Larsen said, Chief Safety and Security Officer? at shipping association BIMCO. In the interim, shipping will only be allowed to use routes near Iran and Oman. These routes are too narrow to safely handle the volume of shipping that normally passes through the Strait of Hormuz, Larsen said. On Friday, the MarineTraffic platform and a Kpler analysis showed that the Iranian-flagged oil products tanker Niki was one of the few vessels to leave the Strait without a destination. The U.S. Navy had imposed a blockade on the ship if she continued to sail eastward. There are few signs of a return to peace talks nearly two months after Israel and the U.S. launched their strikes against Iran. Hapag-Lloyd, a container shipping company, said Friday that one ship had crossed the strait. However, it did not give any details about the circumstances. Helga, a supertanker flying the Comoros flag, arrived Friday at an oil loading terminal in Basra's southern port. It was the second vessel to arrive in Iraq since the closure of the strait. The use by Iran of a swarming of small fast boats on Wednesday to seize two container ships near the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns among shipping and oil companies. The?latest seizure makes it?clear that even an 'open Strait of Hormuz' is not a Strait of Hormuz safe for seafarers and ships, or cargo," Peter Sand said in a Xeneta intelligence note. Lloyd's List Intelligence analysis showed that between April 22 and April 23 seven vessels traversed the Strait. Six of them were involved in Iran related trade. The closing of the strait has disrupted the supply of a fifth of?oil in the world and of liquefied gas (LNG). This has triggered an?energy crisis worldwide. The Gulf is still stranding hundreds of ships with 20,000 seafarers. War risk insurers and the oil companies are waiting for signs that the risks have decreased so they can begin preparing to sail. (Reporting and editing by Jonathan Saul, Elke Ahlswede)

• Hapag-Lloyd reports that one ship has passed Strait of Hormuz

  Hapag-Lloyd, a container?shipping company, said that one of their ships had crossed the 'Strait of Hormuz' on Friday. However, they did not have any information about the circumstances. A spokesperson said that four of the six initial ships are still in the Gulf after the charter agreement for one ship expired. This means the ship no longer belongs Hapag-Lloyd's fleet. He said that the four Hapag vessels still in the Gulf have 100 crew members who are supplied with "food and water". The United States struggles to keep control of the Strait of Hormuz - one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. Since a ceasefire was declared on April 8, the Iran war that Israel and the U.S. launched on February 28 has been put on hold. The?U.S. The?U.S. Tehran has said it won't consider opening the Strait until Washington lifts the "blockade" of Iran shipping that Washington imposed in the truce, and which Tehran views as a violation. This week, the?Iran showed off its control?over a large cargo ship with a video showing commandos storming it in a speedboat. (Reporting and writing by Elke Ahlswede; editing by Miranda Murray).

• Top shipping executives say they are waiting for "safe and sustainable" strait crossings

  Two top executives in the shipping sector said that they wanted to see a safe and sustainable passage through Strait of Hormuz before much oil or cargo leaves or enters the Gulf. We thought that there was some hope when, two weeks ago, the temporary ceasefire came into view. In reality, the agreement did not translate into safety and passage for the vessels", Jotaro Tamura, chief executive officer of Japan's Mitsui O.S.K. Lines in an interview conducted on the sidelines the Singapore Maritime Week. MOL is one of the largest shipping companies in the world and is the leading owner of liquefied gas and oil tankers. Tamura said that questions about safety would remain, even if the Strait were to reopen. The Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps warned that there are mines in the area. It's about?the definition of the word open. Is it open or only half-open? "Is it really open or is there a risk?" Tamura spoke. "At some stage, the (voyages will resume) and normalisation is a reality. It's difficult to predict how the reality will be." He said that MOL follows international law which allows for free passage through the Strait. CMB.Tech in Belgium, a large and diversified maritime firm with more than 250 vessels, is also waiting to get more clarity. "We cannot hedge." Alexander Saverys, CEO of Saverys Group, said at the Singapore conference that we should just wait and see what happens in the Middle East. It creates a lot more uncertainty." He said, "We must be confident we can travel without any problems." Today, we are in no way reassured. "We will only be able to'reassurance when we see that the ships can pass through in a safe,?sustainable manner." Saverys stated that "the Strait of Hormuz is normally a free-passage where no toll should have been paid." If that were to change, we would investigate. He refused to comment on how many ships his company has stranded in the Gulf. "We are in constant communication with all the governments to ensure that our ships can navigate. As you may know, right now the situation is still not safe. Since the U.S. - Iran war broke out on February 28, energy supplies from Gulf have been disrupted. About 130 ships a day pass through the strait to enter or exit the Gulf. This translates into about 20% of daily global oil and LNG supply. (Reporting from Siyi Liu in Singapore and Florence Tan; editing by Jason Neely).

• Fuel costs are increasing, so airlines are reducing their prices and cutting back on their outlook.

  The U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, which has pushed up jet fuel prices, has shook the aviation industry around the world. Airlines have been forced to increase fares and revise financial forecasts. In recent weeks, jet fuel prices have increased from $85-$90 per barrel up to $150-$200 per barrel. This is a major financial blow to an industry that relies on fuel for as much as a quarter of its operating costs. Here is an alphabetical list of the ways airlines are responding to this issue: AEGEAN AIRLINES The Greek airline anticipates that the suspension of Middle East flights, as well as a spike in fuel costs, will have "a significant impact" on their first-quarter earnings. AIRASIA Malaysian Airlines executives announced that the company has cut 10% of its flights in the group and imposed a fuel surcharge of around 20%. AIR CANADA The Canadian largest airline plans to reduce four of its daily flights to New York because of higher fuel prices. From June 1, 2026, the four flights to JFK International Airport to be cut will no longer operate. AIR FRANCE-KLM The airline group?said that it planned to raise long-haul ticket price to address rising fuel costs. Cabin fares are set to increase by 50 euros ($59). The Dutch arm of the group,?KLM, announced on April 16 that it would cancel 160 flights across Europe in the next month due to rising fuel prices. AIR INDIA The Indian airline said that it will change its fuel surcharge system from a flat surcharge for domestic flights to one based on distance. The Indian carrier said that surcharges for international routes do not compensate the steep rise in fuel costs. AIR NEW ZEALAND On April 7, the airline announced that it would cut flights in May and June, and raise fares. It was one of the first airlines to announce a large increase in ticket prices after the conflict erupted. The airline also suspended its earnings forecast for the full year due to volatility in the fuel markets. AKASA AIR Akasa Airlines, based in India, announced that it would be introducing fuel surcharges ranging from 199 to 1,300 Indian Rupees ($2 - $14) for domestic and international flights. ALASKA AIR The airline retracted its profit forecast for the full year and warned that margins would be severely impacted by the sharp increase in fuel prices. It has also reduced capacity in certain markets. AMERICAN AIRLINES The U.S. carrier announced that it would increase the fees for checked baggage by $10 for each of the first two bags, and $150 for the third bag on short-haul and domestic flights. The airline also reduced certain benefits for passengers in economy class. ASIANA AIRLINES Newsis reported that the?South Korean airline would cut 22 flights from April to July due fuel price increases. CATHAY PACIFIC A term sheet reviewed on April 22 showed that the airline group intends to issue Hong Kong dollar fixed rate notes of three years' maturity with an initial price guide in the area of 4.1%. CEBU AIR The Philippines-based carrier said that the sharp increase in fuel prices is a major concern. It will continue to review pricing and network strategies and try to minimize the impact. CHINA EASTERN EXPRESS AIRLINES Air China said that it would increase fuel surcharges on domestic flights starting April 5. Flights of less than 800 km will be charged a surcharge of 60 yuan, and flights above 800 km will be charged a surcharge 120 yuan. DELTA AIR LINES Delta announced that it would reduce capacity by 3.5 percentage points compared to its original plan, and increase fees for checked baggage?to offset the rising costs of jet fuel. The increase will be $10 for first and second bags and $50 on third bags. The U.S. carrier pulled all planned growth in capacity for the current quarter, and forecast profits below Wall Street expectations. EASYJET EasyJet has warned that it will suffer a larger half-year loss before tax of between 540 and 560 millions pounds ($730 and $757million), which includes 25 million pounds of extra fuel costs for March. FRONTIER AÉRIENS Fuel prices have risen'significantly' since the airline issued its outlook. GREATER BAY Airlines The Hong Kong-based firm said that it will increase fuel surcharges for most routes on April 1, but keep them the same on routes to mainland China and Japan. HONG KONG Airlines Air China said that it will increase fuel surcharges up to 35% on flights between Hong Kong, the Maldives, Bangladesh and Nepal. The most dramatic increases are expected to occur for flights between Hong Kong, the Maldives and Nepal where the charges will rise from HK$284 to HK$384 (49 dollars). British Airways' owner IAG stated in March that it did not intend to increase ticket price immediately as it had hedged a large amount of fuel for the short to medium term. INDIGO India's largest airline announced that it will introduce fuel charges for domestic and international flights starting March 14. The charge for flights into the Middle East is 900 rupees and for flights into Europe, 2,300 rupees. JETBLUE Aiways Joanna Geraghty is the CEO of this low-cost airline based in the United States. She told her employees, via a memo, that she would not be considering bankruptcy for the year 2012, despite the fact that rising jet fuel prices threaten the financial recovery. According to a SEC filing, the company has entered into a debt financing agreement worth $500 million. Sources with knowledge on the subject have confirmed that KOREAN will be entering emergency management mode in April as oil prices continue to rise. LUFTHANSA The airline group announced that 20,000 short-haul flight would be removed from the schedule until October. This is equivalent to 40,000 metric tonnes of jet fuel. The German company had previously announced that it would be grounding 27 aircraft servicing its CityLine short-haul subsidiary earlier than expected. PAKISTAN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS Fuel surcharges are cited as the reason for raising domestic flight prices by $20, and international flights by up to $100. QANTAS AIRWAYS Qantas, Australia's national airline, has delayed a planned A$150m ($107m) buyback. It also increased its fuel estimate for the second half 2026 from A$2.5bn to A$3.1bn-A$3.3bn. Scandinavian Airlines announced that it would cancel 1,00 flights in April due to high jet fuel and oil prices. In March, the airline had cancelled "couples of hundred" flights. SPIRIT AIRLINES Air Current reported that people familiar with the situation said the U.S. low cost carrier requested hundreds of millions in emergency funding from the Trump administration to offset the rising fuel prices and prevent a potential liquidation. SPRING AIRLINES Budget Chinese airline announced that it will increase fuel surcharges for domestic flights starting April 5. Details to be announced in due course. SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWEST SOUTHWAST AIRLINES The American carrier announced that it would increase checked baggage fees for the first and second bags by $10 each, or $45 for first bag and $55 second. The Portuguese airline claimed that its price increases would partially offset the impact of fuel prices changes on its revenues. THAI AIRWAYS The Thailand-based airline said that it would increase fares between 10% and 15% in order to combat rising fuel prices. The European airline, tour operator and travel agency?cut their full-year profit forecast and suspended revenue guidance. They said they had incurred an additional cost of?about forty million euros due to the March war, including repatriation and operational disruptions. TURKISH AIRLINES LUFTHANSA SunExpress is a joint venture of Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa. It announced that it would be imposing a temporary fuel charge of 10 euros per person on routes between Turkey, Europe and the Middle East, starting May 1. The fuel surcharge will be applied to all bookings made after April 1, for departures after May 1. Turkish Airlines announced on April 10, that it would not be distributing any dividends from its net profit for 2025, instead choosing to keep earnings and preserve cash. T'WAY AIR As part of the measures taken to combat the effects of war, the South Korean low-cost airline said that it would furlough cabin crew in May and/or June without pay. UNITED AIRLINES UNITED AIRLINES forecast second-quarter profits and a full-year profit below Wall Street expectations. The airline said that it would recover only 40-50% through fares and revenue measures during the second quarter. This figure was expected to improve to 70-80% by the third quarter and up to 85-100% in the fourth. Chicago-based airline United Airlines announced previously that it would cut unprofitable flights in the coming quarters, and increase the first and second checked baggage fees by $10. This applies to customers traveling within the U.S.A., Mexico Canada, and Latin America. VIETJET Vietnamese budget airline has said that it has adjusted flight frequencies on certain routes due to possible fuel shortages. VIETNAM Airline Vietnam's Aviation Authority announced that the carrier will cancel 23 flights per week on domestic routes starting in April after it requested assistance from the government to remove an environment tax on jet fuel. VIRGIN ATLANTIC Corneel Kster, the CEO of the airline, told The Financial Times that despite adding fuel surcharges on fares this year it will struggle to achieve profitability. VIRGIN AUSTRALIA Virgin Australia has said that it expects an increase of jet fuel costs of between A$30 and A$40 million in the second half of the fiscal year. It also anticipates a 1% decrease in capacity for the fourth quarter. VOLOTEA The Spanish low cost airline has introduced a new pricing strategy that links ticket prices with fuel costs. This could add an additional surcharge after purchase of up to fourteen euros per passenger per flight. The Globe and Mail reported that WESTJET, a Canadian airline, has reduced its seat capacity in June. The Canadian Press reported previously that the airline would add C$60 ($44.50) to certain bookings, and combine flights due to rising costs.

• Wall Street Journal April 22,

  These are the most popular stories from?the Wall Street Journal. These stories have not been verified and?has no?guarantee for their accuracy. Iraqi and U.S. officials said that the Trump administration has frozen security programs with Iraq's military as well as suspended U.S. dollars shipments. This is a way to increase pressure on Baghdad, to demantle powerful Iranian backed militias. Kevin Warsh, the Fed's nominee for chair, told senators that he would make a radical departure from recent monetary policy. He also promised to maintain independence from President Obama who has frequently expressed his desire for looser monetary policies. Amazon.com is launching a GLP-1 treatment program through its One Medical primary healthcare arm. United Airlines has said that it has already adjusted its schedule to take into account the volatile and high fuel prices. These are partly due to disruptions caused by the war in Iran. Attorney General Letitia J. James of New York filed lawsuits against the crypto exchanges Coinbase & Gemini accusing them of operating prediction market that violates state gambling laws. Medicare will extend its short-term program that pays for weight-loss medications such as Eli Lilly's Zepbound or Novo Nordisk Wegovy. This will ensure seniors will have access to these popular drugs next year.

• Alaska Air: Fuel surge puts earnings at risk as it holds fares

  Alaska Air Group announced on Tuesday that strong travel demand, higher fares and a sharp rise in fuel prices are helping to offset the?rise. The airline also lowered its outlook for the full year and warned about a severe hit to earnings during the second quarter. The surge in jet-fuel prices after the Iran War is the first real stress test for the airline industry since the pandemic. Profits are squeezed even though demand remains steady. The airlines sell their seats in advance, and can't raise the price quickly. This leaves them "exposed" when fuel prices rise. Alaska Airlines said that bookings were stable despite steep fare increases. In recent weeks, Alaska's core U.S. markets have seen a 20% increase in fares compared to a year earlier. This could support strong revenue growth in the second quarter if current trends continue. Benito Minicucci, Chief Executive of the company, said that a strong demand background and a stable fare increase offset some of this pressure. However, the cost increases are not fully covered by higher fares. Alaska Airlines said that it has recovered 'about one-third' of the increase in fuel costs. This gap is expected to affect earnings for the second quarter. FUEL SURGE CLOUDS FOREWARD Fuel prices are also becoming more unpredictable. The airline reported that prices had fluctuated between $4.45 and 5.15 per gallon over the last week, making it difficult to plan. It also prompted it to withdraw its full-year forecast. Refining margins has exacerbated the cost spike. Alaska stated that margins in Singapore increased by more than 400% during the first quarter. This made what was usually one of their cheapest fuel sources into its most expensive source. Singapore is still a major long-term advantage for the airline. The airline is aiming to increase its fuel sourcing from Singapore to up to 30%-40% over time. The demand remains strong across the board. The airline reported that premium travel rose by 8%, corporate travel was up 19% and advance bookings for corporate customers were nearly 30% higher. Alaska has said that it does not anticipate fuel supply disruptions on its network. However, the industry must address long-term issues with jet fuel supply, particularly along the U.S. West Coast where refinery and pipeline capacity are limited. The airline said that it has reduced capacity in certain markets to protect its margins, while continuing to invest on premium seating, expansion internationally and loyalty. (Reporting and editing by Nick Zieminski, Rajesh Kumar Singh)

• Baltic Exchange, a freight assessment agency, proposes changes to the methodology for Middle East benchmarks

  Baltic Exchange, who tracks and evaluates freight rates, proposed Monday amending their'methodology for all Middle East benchmarks. They cited the escalating geopolitical disturbance in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East area. The exchange wants immediate feedback about a proposal that would allow flexibility in the method?and include an area or port outside of the Middle East Gulf region. The original option of loading at a port within the region will continue. The Baltic Exchange's indexes and assessments can be used to settle freight derivatives trades, benchmark physical contracts, or as an overall indicator of the performance of the freight market. Baltic Exchange stated that while the consultation will not eliminate the risk of benchmark suspension it can help to mitigate this risk. In March, the Baltic Exchange held meetings and provided guidance on how shipbrokers could assess indices without direct or physical fixtures. The Exchange stated that shipbrokers could 'consider ongoing negotiations or fixtures on closely related, economically comparable routes, or time charter equivalent earnings in their assessments. S&P Global Platts - one of the largest providers of information about the oil & fuel markets - did not respond immediately to a question regarding how changes in the Baltic Exchange's methodology might affect its assessments. Reporting by Arathy S. Somasekhar, Houston; editing by Chizu N. Nomiyama

• Iran's Navy tells Ships Strait of Hormuz Closed Again, Two Vessels Report Gunfire

  ?Ship sources reported that two merchant vessels were hit by gunfire while attempting to cross the Strait of?Hormuz. After receiving a mariner's notice a day before, a number of commercial vessels attempted to transit the strait. The notice stated that passage was allowed but limited to Iran-approved lanes. Sources in maritime and shipping security said that on Saturday, "at least two ships" reported that Iranian boats had fired shots. These incidents occurred in the waters between Qeshm Island and Larak. Sources said that the vessels returned without completing their crossing. The United Kingdom Maritime?Operations agency (UKMTO), said that it received a report about an incident which occurred?20 nautical mile northeast of Oman. The captain of the tanker reported that two gunboats from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had fired at his vessel after approaching it. The tanker was safe, as were its crew. According to a source in maritime security, gunfire also struck a container ship. Several?vessels have reported that Iran's Navy has been broadcasting VHF messages saying the Strait of Hormuz is closed again. The Strait of Hormuz is now completely closed by Iran due to the U.S. Government's failure to fulfill its commitment in the negotiations. The radio message stated that no vessel of any type or nationality was allowed to cross the Strait of Hormuz. About 20,000 seafarers and hundreds of ships remain stranded on the Gulf coast, waiting for passage through this key waterway that carries about 20% of all global oil and LNG flows. Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Yannis Souliotis. Marwa Rashad Ahmad Ghaddar Muhammad Al Gebaly. Emelia Sithole Matarise and Mark Potter edited the article.

• UK's Cooper calls for full resumption of ship traffic through Strait of Hormuz

  Yvette Cooper, British Foreign Secretary, said that despite a ceasefire between the 'Iran War' and 'the Strait of Hormuz war being declared on Saturday there had been no return to normal operation. She urged Tehran to allow full global shipping to resume. Cooper said on the sidelines of an Antalya diplomatic forum that "we are in a crucial diplomatic moment. A ceasefire is now in place, but we do not yet have a normal passage through strait." On Saturday, a convoy of tanks crossed the strait. This was the first significant movement of ships through the waterway since the U.S. launched its war against Iran on February 28, The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of Iran announced on Saturday that Tehran has agreed to "a managed?passage of limited number of oil tankers and other commercial vessels through Strait of Hormuz". The strait would remain under Iranian control as long as the U.S. did not guarantee full freedom of movement for vessels traveling to and from Iran. Cooper stated that the U.S. - Iran?truce must develop into a lasting peaceful, and added that restoring the shipping along the waterway is urgent for the 'global economy. She said: "We need to open the Strait of Hormuz... as this will help all of our economies around the world, which are currently held hostage." Cooper stated that more than 50 countries have backed efforts in support of freedom?of?navigation, and over a dozen are prepared to provide maritime assistance, including demining, reassurance,?for ships, after the conflict is resolved. She said there was "considerable?work?to be done" to make the ceasefire a lasting settlement and called on all sides to maintain the truce. (Reporting and editing by Jonathan Spicer; Louise Heavens, Emelia Sithole Matarise, and Tuvan Gumrukcu)

• Quotations-Reactions from industry leaders and businessmen to Iran's statement that Hormuz was open

  Iran's Foreign Minister said that the Strait of Hormuz was now open to all commercial vessels after a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. Quotes from world leaders and the shipping industry on the Iranian declaration. SHIPPING INDUSTRIES: HAPAG-LLOYD Insurance coverage, clear orders?of?the iranian government/military about the exact sea corridor to be used and the sequence of ships leaving) we would prefer to pass through as soon as possible. Insurance coverage, orders from the Iranian government/military regarding the exact sea route to be used, and the order of departure by ships) would make it easier for us to cross the strait. Our crisis committee is currently in session, and we will be working with all parties to try and resolve any open issues within the next 24 hours. MAERSK "We have taken note of the announcement." Our priority is the safety of our crews, vessels and cargo. We have been following the advice of our regional security partners since the start of the conflict. The recommendation has so far been to avoid transiting the Strait of Hormuz. "Any decision on whether to transit the Strait will be made based on risk assessment and a close monitoring of security conditions, with the latest developments included in ongoing assessments." KNUT ARILD HARIDE, CEO OF NORWEGIAN SHAPIOWNERS' ASSOCIATION "If it represents a move towards opening, then this is a positive development. The situation is not resolved, as there are still many uncertainties. These include questions about the presence of sea mines, the applicable Iranian conditions and the practical implementation. Before any transit can take place, these?aspects' will need to clarified. ARSENIO DOMINGUEZ, SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL MARINE ORGANIZATION We are verifying that the recent announcement regarding the reopening of Strait of Hormuz is in compliance with the freedom of navigation and safe passage for all merchant ships. World Leaders: ANTONIO GUTERRES UNITED NATIONS SECRESTARY-GENERAL "I welcome Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz will be completely open to all commercial vessels during the remaining ceasefire. This is a positive step. The UN's position is clear: We need to restore the full rights and freedoms of international navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. President DONALD TRUMP Trump posted on Truth Social that "the Strait of Hormuz was completely open, ready for full business, and the full passage. But, the naval blockade would remain in full force, and only as it relates to Iran until our transaction with Iran has been 100% completed." FRENCH PREMIER EMMANUEL MACON Macron said that the "move" was in the right direction. We all oppose any restrictions, agreements, or systems that could be interpreted as an attempt to privatize strait, and of course any toll system. CEVDET YILMAZ, TURKISH VICE PRESIDENT We welcome Iran's announcement of the Strait of Hormuz being reopened for all ships up until the end of the ceasefire. This is a?important step in deescalating tensions. "Dialogue, restraint and strengthening multilateral co-operation are the only ways to prevent similar crises, conflict and developments disrupting maritime transport in our area." FINNISH PRESIDENT ALEXANDER STUB "Finland is ready to work with a solution which brings stability to the area and respects international laws." (Reporting from bureaus, compiled by Toby Chopra).

• Quotations-Reactions from industry leaders and businessmen to Iran's statement that Hormuz was open

  Iran's Foreign Minister said that the Strait of Hormuz was now open to all commercial vessels following an agreement in Lebanon on a ceasefire. The shipping industry and leaders from around the world have spoken out about the Iranian declaration. SHIPPING INDUSTRIES: MAERSK "We have?taken?note of the announcement. Our priority is the safety of our crews, vessels, and cargo. We have been following the advice of our regional security partners since the beginning of the conflict. The recommendation has so far been to avoid transiting through the Strait of Hormuz. "Any decision on whether to transit the strait is based on the risk assessment and the close monitoring of security conditions, including the latest developments in ongoing assessments." KNUT ARILD HARIDE, CEO OF NORWEGIAN SHAPIOWNERS' ASSOCIATION "This is a positive development if it represents a move towards an opening. The situation is not resolved, as there are still many uncertainties. These include questions about the?presence or sea mines and the applicable Iranian conditions. Before any transit can be assessed, these aspects must 'be clarified. HAPAG-LLOYD "We have begun to evaluate the new situation, and the risks that are involved." We are therefore refraining for the moment from crossing the strait," said a spokesperson. Later, a spokesperson said: "We're looking into it. (Hapag Lloyd's) Crisis Committee is in session." We will probably pass soon, but it's too early to confirm. ARSENIO DOMINGUEZ SECRETARY GENERAL OF INTERNATIONAL MARINE ORGANIZATION "We are currently checking the recent announcement regarding the reopening of Strait of Hormuz in terms of compliance with freedom of navigation for all merchant ships and secure passage." World Leaders: U.S. President DONALD TRUMP Trump said on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz was "completely?open" and ready for full business. However, the naval blockade would remain in place as long as Iran is concerned, and only until our deal with Iran has been completed. FRENCH PREMIER EMMANUEL MACON Macron said that the move "goes the right way." We all oppose any restrictions or agreements that would amount to a privatization of the Strait, and, of course, toll systems. FINNISH PRESIDENT ALEXANDER STUB Stubb stated on X that Finland is ready to work towards a solution which brings stability to the area and respects international laws. (Reporting from bureaus; compiled by Toby Chopra).

• Shippers seek clarifications on the Hormuz crossing

  Shipping companies welcomed Iran's announcement that the Strait of Hormuz was open, but they said a clarification would be needed before ships could enter the Gulf. The Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced on Friday that all commercial vessels were welcome to use the Strait of Hormuz during a 10-day ceasefire agreement in Lebanon. This led to a drop in the price of oil and other commodities, while the stock market rose. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of UN shipping agency 'the International Maritime Organization' (IMO), said: "We are currently evaluating the recent announcement regarding the reopening of Strait of Hormuz in terms of compliance with freedom of navigation and safe passage for all merchant ships." The Norwegian Shipowners' Association stated that several things must be clarified prior to any ships being able to transit the strait. These include the?presence and conditions of Iranians', the practical implementation, as well as the Iranian conditions. Knut Arild Harteide, CEO of the association that represents 130 companies and 1,500 vessels, said: "If this is a step in the right direction, then it's a positive development." Hapag-Lloyd, a German shipping company, was assessing the situation. "We will probably pass soon", said a spokesperson. CMA CGM and Maersk, the French shipper, were not available to comment immediately. Frontline, a Norwegian oil tanker company, declined to comment. A senior Iranian official said that all commercial ships, including U.S. vessels, can pass through the strait. However, their plans must be coordinated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Officials said that the transit would only be allowed on routes that Iran considers safe. Military vessels are still prohibited. U.S. president Donald 'Trump' said on Friday that Iran had agreed not to close the strait ever again and was clearing sea mines out of the strait. A U.S. Navy advisor said that the threat posed by mines in some parts of the strait was not fully understood. Ships should avoid the area, the advisory stated. The strait is one of the world's major maritime chokepoints. Shipping companies have been forced to suspend sailings and reroute their cargo, and use expensive workarounds in order to keep goods flowing into and out the Gulf. (Reporting from Gdansk by Jesus Calero, writing by Louise Rasmussen, Nerijus Adomatis, editing by Terje Solsvik, Louise Heavens and Jason Neely.)