en.Wedoany.com Reported - Nordic American Tankers (NAT) announced that three vessels, previously stranded in the Arabian Gulf since February 28, 2026, have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and resumed international operations.
The company confirmed the safety of all crew members and noted that current market conditions are highly favorable for its vessels. Herbjorn Hansson, founder, chairman, and CEO of NAT, stated that the ships have re-entered international service and that the crew is safe. The company, incorporated in Bermuda in 1995, operates a fleet of Suezmax tankers.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remained stable at the time of the announcement, with vessels continuing to transit via the southern Omani corridor and the northern Iranian-controlled route. Reports as of July 5 indicated no sustained increase in activity along the southern corridor, with traffic patterns stabilizing following the widening of the shipping lane. The northern route remains in use, but overall numbers are difficult to assess due to inconsistent AIS practices and reporting. Despite an elevated threat environment, U.S.-assisted commercial transits have not been disrupted.
The UKMTO assessed the regional threat level as significant, warning that further deliberate hostile actions are possible under current conditions. While overall risk is lower than before the memorandum was signed, a high level of vigilance remains necessary. The agency warned seafarers to expect sustained naval presence, congestion on transit routes, and more frequent hailing by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). Navigational interference persists, and reports of mine risks remain relevant within and adjacent to the Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS), with mine clearance and survey operations ongoing. The UKMTO advised vessels to maintain a high level of situational awareness during all approaches.
Regarding regional security, senior military officials from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen recently discussed the current security environment and opportunities to enhance defense cooperation. The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) led a regional security dialogue hosted by the Bahrain Defense Force on July 1, with defense leaders from 12 countries participating, reaffirming a shared commitment to the free flow of commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
