{"text":[[{"start":9.55,"text":"Shipowners are in deep confusion over the safest route out of the Gulf amid conflicting instructions from Iran, the US and western insurers."}],[{"start":17.8,"text":"While traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has picked up, Iran has said that vessels risk “penalties” and may be forced to turn back if they do not seek permission beforehand from Tehran and take a route close to the Iranian coastline."}],[{"start":32.55,"text":"At the same time the US and some western insurers are advising ships to follow a route protected by US air cover on the Omani side of the strait, according to three shipping executives, leaving shipowners unsure of which path to take."}],[{"start":47.699999999999996,"text":"“Shipowners and operators find themselves caught in a difficult position. If they follow the guidance of underwriters and US authorities by navigating closer to Oman, they risk interference, detention or potential hostile action from Iranian authorities,” said Dr SV Anchan, chair of the US shipping company Safesea Shipping. "}],[{"start":67.5,"text":"“On the other hand, if they comply with Iranian instructions and navigate closer to the Iranian coast, they may expose themselves to potential sanctions-related concerns, including possible implications under [US] regulations, as well as being viewed as operating contrary to certain underwriter advisories.”"}],[{"start":84.75,"text":"“The Iranians are insisting on ships using the Iran route and paying tolls,” one cargo insurance broker told the FT. “The US is telling ships to go the Omani route and escorting them with close air support. It’s not very joined up and it’s all going to end in tears.”"}],[{"start":101.2,"text":"“There does appear to be a push by the western shipping interests to use the Omani route,” a tanker industry executive said, although “lots are also exploring the Iranian route as an option”."}],[{"start":null,"text":"
"}],[{"start":112.35000000000001,"text":"Traffic through the contested waterway picked up over the weekend following the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the US and Iran that has paved the way for further negotiations over a final peace deal this week."}],[{"start":124.80000000000001,"text":"More than 30 ships crossed the strait in the 24 hours up to midday Monday UK time, according to the shipping authority UK Maritime Trade Operations — the highest total since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28."}],[{"start":139.45000000000002,"text":"Maritime authorities last week downgraded the risk level of operating in the strait from “severe” to “moderate” following the signing of the memorandum."}],[{"start":147.4,"text":"“On-water behaviour” from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had become “less volatile” following the peace agreement, while “US naval presence continues to provide stabilising oversight”, UKMTO said."}],[{"start":161.6,"text":"The US set up what President Donald Trump on Sunday branded its “Guardian Angel” route in early June to encourage traffic through the waterway under US military cover. "}],[{"start":172.6,"text":"However, many shipowners have been left in a quandary after Iran issued a document on Friday stipulating that vessels wishing to cross the strait must seek permission from the Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which it established in May and has since been sanctioned by the US."}],[{"start":188.04999999999998,"text":"“There appears to be some uncertainty between the recommended transit routes and the guidance being received from different parties,” Costas Delaportas, chief executive of the bulk cargo operator DryDel Shipping, said. “Owners, operators and insurers are all trying to balance safety, compliance and operational requirements, which is creating hesitation for some vessels.”"}],[{"start":209.04999999999998,"text":"Two other insurance brokers said, however, that their firms were not advising vessels on which route they should take. “It’s really up to [shipowners] as they are at the sharp end operationally,” one said. "}],[{"start":220.2,"text":"Cartography by Jana Tauschinski "}],[{"start":230.45,"text":""}]],"url":"https://audio.ftcn.net.cn/album/a_1782191212_4599.mp3"}