Türkiye seeks clearance for 11 ships to transit Strait of Hormuz

Türkiye is seeking permission from Iranian authorities for 11 Turkish-owned ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the country’s transportation minister said on April 1, as the strategic waterway remains effectively blocked amid ongoing hostilities.

A total of 14 Turkish-owned vessels are currently in the strait, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu told reporters in Ankara. He said three of the ships are engaged in ongoing operations, including power generation, and are not requesting to depart, Bloomberg reports. 

“Discussions are ongoing” for the others, he said, adding that Turkish authorities are in regular contact with the ships’ crews.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, carries roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas. After war broke out on February 28, Iran effectively blocked the waterway, disrupting the flow of oil, gas and other commodities, including fertiliser and metals.

Only one Turkish-owned ship has received permission to transit Hormuz since the start of the conflict, Uraloglu said earlier this month, noting that the clearance was granted “because it had used an Iranian port.”

“One of the main dangers facing our region is not only the prolongation of the war but also the risk of it turning into a regional conflict,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in parliament on April 1. “Retaliatory attacks targeting energy, transport and civilian infrastructure are unfortunately increasing this risk.”

Oil markets have reacted sharply to the disruption. Brent crude has surged about 42% since the conflict began, though prices have fluctuated amid mixed signals over the potential duration of the fighting.

On April 1, prices eased after President Donald Trump indicated that the United States could withdraw from the conflict within two or three weeks.

By Sabina Mammadli