Bangkok: There are more than 80 unexploded ordnance in the Strait of Hormuz, posing a significant threat to maritime security and global energy transport. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimates that at least 80 landmines remain unexploded in the main shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz.

According to Thai News Agency, a report from the Chatham House think tank indicates that most of the mines are Maham 3 and Maham 7 types. These mines have the property of deflecting sonar waves from minesweepers, making them very difficult to find and destroy. Under the provisional agreement, or Memorandum of Understanding of Islamabad, signed between the United States and Iran, Iran agreed to be responsible for clearing these mines. Major powers such as the United Kingdom, France, and the United States are providing support equipment and monitoring safety.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), announced that the initial plan to evacuate approximately 500 commercial ships and their more than 11,000 crew members stranded in the Persian Gulf since the war had to be temporarily suspended. This decision came after the Singapore-flagged container ship M/V Ever Lovely was attacked by a drone near Oman on Thursday (June 25).

The current situation has a significant impact on maritime security and global energy transport, as the main central strait is closed due to mine hazards. Cargo ships are forced to detour via routes off the coast of Oman, controlled by the United States, or via narrower routes near the coast of Iran, which are more prone to grounding. The International Tanker Owners Association (Intertanko) has warned its members to avoid or postpone voyages through the strait until the situation becomes clearer and resolved.