Turkey seeks Iran’s approval for Hormuz passage

Turkey is in talks with the Iranian government to secure permission for 11 Turkish-owned ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, transportation minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu said.

Fourteen Turkish-owned ships remain in the strategic waterway, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported, quoting the minister.

However, three ships are engaged in various operations, including power generation, and are not seeking passage.

“Discussions are ongoing for the others,” Uraloğlu said, adding that the Turkish government is in regular contact with the crews.

Iran has effectively blocked the strait since the war started on February 28. The waterway is responsible for the passage of almost 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas.

The first Turkish-owned ship passed through the strait on March 13. 

Data shared with AGBI by maritime intelligence company Pole Star Global captured 3,208 vessels still signalling their presence in and around the chokepoint on March 20.

Thousands of bulk carriers, crude and oil products tankers, container ships, tugs and general cargo have clustered in the Gulf. Together, they represent billions of dollars of commodities, including chemicals, metals and vehicles, as well as oil and gas.