Shipping executives are expressing caution over Project Freedom, the US operation starting Monday to guide trapped neutral ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
“It takes both sides to unblock — not just one,” said Bjørn Højgaard, CEO of ship manager Anglo-Eastern. “Either party can signal that they are willing to let certain ships through, but unless the other side accepts that in practice, it doesn’t materially change the reality on the water.”
“Announcements are one thing — safe and predictable passage is another.”
“The Chairman of Iran’s parliamentary National Security Commission has said such moves ‘will be considered a violation of the ceasefire.’ Under these circumstances we should be cautious,” said Richard Hext, Chairman of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association.
The stated objective of the US operation is to “restore freedom of navigation.”
In a statement, CENTCOM Commander Brad Cooper said: “Our support for this defensive mission is essential to regional security and the global economy as we also maintain the naval blockade.”
Project Freedom involves guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft and 15,000 service members.
A US official told CNN the operation to guide ships through the strait is not an escort mission.
It’s not clear how the operation would work nor which countries the operation would help.
Shipping executives cautious on US plan to guide ships through Strait of Hormuz
Shipping executives cautious on US plan to guide ships through Strait of Hormuz
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Before Project Freedom was announced, a tanker was reportedly hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz. According to UKMTO, all crew were reported safe.
The incident underscores the risk to all vessels when transiting the critical waterway.
US President Donald Trump called Project Freedom a “humanitarian gesture.”
Since the war broke out on February 28, hundreds of ships and an estimated 20,000 seafarers have been trapped inside the Gulf.
The crisis has also created shortages of food, medical supplies and water aboard some vessels, forcing crews to ration supplies while managing fatigue and mental distress.
