Ships stranded in the Persian Gulf scrambled for a fast exit as the cease-fire promised to temporarily free up the Strait of Hormuz.
The Greek-owned bulk carrier NJ Earth and the Liberia flagged Daytona Beach were the first to cross the strait early Wednesday after departing Bandar Abbas in Iran, according to ship tracker MarineTraffic. Its data show 426 tankers, 34 LPG carriers, and 19 LNG vessels in the Persian Gulf among hundreds of other containerships and general cargo vessels.
Brokers said dozens of ships will depart, and some will enter, the Persian Gulf in coming days if the cease-fire holds. Shipowners said the priority would be to get loaded tankers out.
