Slow Traffic Resumes in Strait of Hormuz Post Ceasefire
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 2 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy INSW?
Source: CNBC
- Traffic Resumption Status: Following the two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains sluggish, with only two ships passing through, indicating a significant uncertainty in the market regarding safe navigation despite the ceasefire.
- Iran's Passage Conditions: Iran's stipulation that vessels must coordinate with its armed forces and potentially pay tolls in cryptocurrency adds operational costs for shipping companies, which could lead to fluctuations in oil prices and impact global supply chains.
- Shipping Companies' Response: While shipping giant Maersk welcomed the ceasefire, their statement emphasized limited information available, necessitating a cautious approach to assess potential passage conditions, which may influence their operational strategies in the region.
- Market Impact Analysis: During the week leading up to the ceasefire, approximately 72 vessels transited the strait, marking the highest number since the war began, yet still 90% below normal traffic levels, reflecting a cautious market sentiment regarding future shipping activities.
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Analyst Views on INSW
Wall Street analysts forecast INSW stock price to fall
3 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 74.950
Low
57.00
Averages
58.00
High
60.00
Current: 74.950
Low
57.00
Averages
58.00
High
60.00
About INSW
International Seaways, Inc. is a tanker company engaged in providing energy transportation services for crude oil and petroleum products in international flag markets. The Company operates through two segments: Crude Tankers and Product Carriers. The Crude Tankers segment is made up of a fleet of VLCCs, Suezmaxes, and Aframaxes engaged in the worldwide transportation of crude oil. This segment also includes its Crude Tankers Lightering business through which it provides ship-to-ship (STS) lightering support services and full-service STS lightering to customers in the United States Gulf (USG), United States Pacific, Grand Bahama, and Panama regions. The Product Carriers segment consists of a fleet of MRs, LR1 product carriers, and an LR2 product carrier engaged in the worldwide transportation of refined petroleum products. It owns and operates a fleet of about 84 vessels, including 11 VLCCs, 13 Suezmaxes, five Aframaxes/LR2s, 14 LR1s (including six new buildings), and 41 MR tankers.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Slow Traffic Resumes in Strait of Hormuz Post Ceasefire
- Traffic Resumption Status: Following the two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains sluggish, with only two ships passing through, indicating a significant uncertainty in the market regarding safe navigation despite the ceasefire.
- Iran's Passage Conditions: Iran's stipulation that vessels must coordinate with its armed forces and potentially pay tolls in cryptocurrency adds operational costs for shipping companies, which could lead to fluctuations in oil prices and impact global supply chains.
- Shipping Companies' Response: While shipping giant Maersk welcomed the ceasefire, their statement emphasized limited information available, necessitating a cautious approach to assess potential passage conditions, which may influence their operational strategies in the region.
- Market Impact Analysis: During the week leading up to the ceasefire, approximately 72 vessels transited the strait, marking the highest number since the war began, yet still 90% below normal traffic levels, reflecting a cautious market sentiment regarding future shipping activities.
See More
Q1 2026 Shipping Insights Report Released
- Industry Insights Released: Capital Link's Q1 2026 Shipping Insights report compiles exclusive discussions with executives from container, dry bulk, LNG, LPG, and tanker sectors, offering in-depth analysis of critical industry themes to help investors navigate market dynamics.
- Regulatory and Decarbonization Focus: The report emphasizes regulatory updates and decarbonization efforts, reflecting the industry's proactive stance in addressing environmental challenges, which is expected to drive investments and strategic adjustments in sustainability among related companies.
- Global Trade Trends: As the maritime industry enters Q2 2026, the report analyzes global trade trends and their impact on the shipping market, highlighting the importance of capital allocation strategies for companies to enhance shareholder value.
- Executive Insights Shared: The report features insights from executives of prominent companies, including leaders in international shipping and energy transportation, providing forward-looking perspectives on future market directions to assist investors in making informed decisions.
See More
Q1 2026 Shipping Insights Released
- Industry Insights Released: Capital Link's Q1 2026 Shipping Insights report compiles exclusive discussions with executives from the container, dry bulk, LNG, LPG, and tanker sectors, offering in-depth analysis of key industry themes to help investors navigate market dynamics.
- Regulatory and Decarbonization Focus: The report emphasizes regulatory updates and decarbonization efforts, reflecting the industry's proactive stance in addressing environmental challenges, which is expected to drive investments and strategic adjustments in sustainability among related companies.
- Global Trade Trends: As the shipping industry enters Q2 2026, the report analyzes global trade trends and their impact on capital allocation strategies, highlighting companies' efforts to enhance shareholder value, which may influence investor decisions.
- Executive Insights: The report features insights from executives of notable companies, including International Seaways, MPC Container Ships, and Scorpio Tankers, providing forward-looking perspectives on future market directions to assist investors in evaluating potential investment opportunities.
See More
Iran Establishes Toll Corridor in Strait of Hormuz Amid Shipping Crisis
- Shipping Corridor Control: Iran has established a de facto safe shipping corridor near Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in a 90% drop in traffic since February 28, which has caused one of the most severe energy supply shocks globally.
- Toll System Implementation: The Iranian parliament passed a bill to impose fees on vessels transiting the strait, a move that, despite international legal disputes, would institutionalize Tehran's financial control over this critical waterway.
- Selective Passage: All 57 transits recorded since March 13 have taken the Larak detour, indicating strict vetting by the IRGC, which prioritizes vessels from countries with friendly relations, thereby increasing uncertainty in international shipping.
- International Response: While Iran claims the right to charge transit fees, legal experts argue that such unilateral measures may face strong diplomatic and legal challenges under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
See More
GPS Disruptions Surge Amid Middle East Conflict
- Surge in GPS Disruptions: Following the U.S. and Israel's pre-emptive strikes against Iran on February 28, GPS disruptions have surged in the Middle East, with over 1,100 vessels experiencing AIS signal interference within the first 24 hours, affecting maritime, aviation, and land transportation while exposing vulnerabilities in the American-made satellite navigation system.
- Reasons for Interference: Analysts suggest that Gulf states may be jamming satellite navigation signals to protect critical infrastructure from drone and missile attacks, a tactic increasingly common in modern warfare, as evidenced by similar disruptions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- Impact on Shipping: Despite the significant reduction in shipping activity due to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, foreign-flagged vessels from countries like China and India still have transit rights, making accurate positioning data crucial for avoiding collisions and grounding risks in the narrow strait, which measures only 21 miles (33 km) at its narrowest point.
- Emerging Technology Trends: As GPS signal jamming intensifies, industry experts highlight the vulnerabilities of satellite navigation systems, noting that modern chips can receive signals from multiple global navigation systems, with Iran potentially utilizing China's BeiDou, posing a challenge to U.S. strategic dominance in global navigation.
See More
International Seaways CFO Sells Shares Amid Strong Performance
- Executive Stock Sale: International Seaways' CFO James Small sold 20,000 shares for approximately $1.5 million, marking the largest transaction in his open-market sale history since mid-2024, reflecting confidence in the company's strong market performance.
- Ownership Proportion Change: This sale reduced Small's direct holdings from 56,376 to 36,376 shares, leaving him with about $2.7 million in equity, indicating a trend of gradual divestment while maintaining significant stake value.
- Strong Market Performance: On the day of the sale, International Seaways' stock had returned 124% over the past year, highlighting robust performance in the global energy market and a resilient business model.
- Shareholder Return Policy: The company reported a net income of $128 million for Q4 2025 and declared a quarterly dividend of $2.15 per share, demonstrating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders and bolstering investor confidence.
See More
Slow Traffic Resumes in Strait of Hormuz Post Ceasefire
- Traffic Resumption Status: Following the two-week ceasefire agreement between the U.S. and Iran, vessel traffic in the Strait of Hormuz remains sluggish, with only two ships passing through, indicating a significant uncertainty in the market regarding safe navigation despite the ceasefire.
- Iran's Passage Conditions: Iran's stipulation that vessels must coordinate with its armed forces and potentially pay tolls in cryptocurrency adds operational costs for shipping companies, which could lead to fluctuations in oil prices and impact global supply chains.
- Shipping Companies' Response: While shipping giant Maersk welcomed the ceasefire, their statement emphasized limited information available, necessitating a cautious approach to assess potential passage conditions, which may influence their operational strategies in the region.
- Market Impact Analysis: During the week leading up to the ceasefire, approximately 72 vessels transited the strait, marking the highest number since the war began, yet still 90% below normal traffic levels, reflecting a cautious market sentiment regarding future shipping activities.
See More
Q1 2026 Shipping Insights Report Released
- Industry Insights Released: Capital Link's Q1 2026 Shipping Insights report compiles exclusive discussions with executives from container, dry bulk, LNG, LPG, and tanker sectors, offering in-depth analysis of critical industry themes to help investors navigate market dynamics.
- Regulatory and Decarbonization Focus: The report emphasizes regulatory updates and decarbonization efforts, reflecting the industry's proactive stance in addressing environmental challenges, which is expected to drive investments and strategic adjustments in sustainability among related companies.
- Global Trade Trends: As the maritime industry enters Q2 2026, the report analyzes global trade trends and their impact on the shipping market, highlighting the importance of capital allocation strategies for companies to enhance shareholder value.
- Executive Insights Shared: The report features insights from executives of prominent companies, including leaders in international shipping and energy transportation, providing forward-looking perspectives on future market directions to assist investors in making informed decisions.
See More
Q1 2026 Shipping Insights Released
- Industry Insights Released: Capital Link's Q1 2026 Shipping Insights report compiles exclusive discussions with executives from the container, dry bulk, LNG, LPG, and tanker sectors, offering in-depth analysis of key industry themes to help investors navigate market dynamics.
- Regulatory and Decarbonization Focus: The report emphasizes regulatory updates and decarbonization efforts, reflecting the industry's proactive stance in addressing environmental challenges, which is expected to drive investments and strategic adjustments in sustainability among related companies.
- Global Trade Trends: As the shipping industry enters Q2 2026, the report analyzes global trade trends and their impact on capital allocation strategies, highlighting companies' efforts to enhance shareholder value, which may influence investor decisions.
- Executive Insights: The report features insights from executives of notable companies, including International Seaways, MPC Container Ships, and Scorpio Tankers, providing forward-looking perspectives on future market directions to assist investors in evaluating potential investment opportunities.
See More
Iran Establishes Toll Corridor in Strait of Hormuz Amid Shipping Crisis
- Shipping Corridor Control: Iran has established a de facto safe shipping corridor near Larak Island in the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in a 90% drop in traffic since February 28, which has caused one of the most severe energy supply shocks globally.
- Toll System Implementation: The Iranian parliament passed a bill to impose fees on vessels transiting the strait, a move that, despite international legal disputes, would institutionalize Tehran's financial control over this critical waterway.
- Selective Passage: All 57 transits recorded since March 13 have taken the Larak detour, indicating strict vetting by the IRGC, which prioritizes vessels from countries with friendly relations, thereby increasing uncertainty in international shipping.
- International Response: While Iran claims the right to charge transit fees, legal experts argue that such unilateral measures may face strong diplomatic and legal challenges under the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
See More
GPS Disruptions Surge Amid Middle East Conflict
- Surge in GPS Disruptions: Following the U.S. and Israel's pre-emptive strikes against Iran on February 28, GPS disruptions have surged in the Middle East, with over 1,100 vessels experiencing AIS signal interference within the first 24 hours, affecting maritime, aviation, and land transportation while exposing vulnerabilities in the American-made satellite navigation system.
- Reasons for Interference: Analysts suggest that Gulf states may be jamming satellite navigation signals to protect critical infrastructure from drone and missile attacks, a tactic increasingly common in modern warfare, as evidenced by similar disruptions following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- Impact on Shipping: Despite the significant reduction in shipping activity due to the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz, foreign-flagged vessels from countries like China and India still have transit rights, making accurate positioning data crucial for avoiding collisions and grounding risks in the narrow strait, which measures only 21 miles (33 km) at its narrowest point.
- Emerging Technology Trends: As GPS signal jamming intensifies, industry experts highlight the vulnerabilities of satellite navigation systems, noting that modern chips can receive signals from multiple global navigation systems, with Iran potentially utilizing China's BeiDou, posing a challenge to U.S. strategic dominance in global navigation.
See More
International Seaways CFO Sells Shares Amid Strong Performance
- Executive Stock Sale: International Seaways' CFO James Small sold 20,000 shares for approximately $1.5 million, marking the largest transaction in his open-market sale history since mid-2024, reflecting confidence in the company's strong market performance.
- Ownership Proportion Change: This sale reduced Small's direct holdings from 56,376 to 36,376 shares, leaving him with about $2.7 million in equity, indicating a trend of gradual divestment while maintaining significant stake value.
- Strong Market Performance: On the day of the sale, International Seaways' stock had returned 124% over the past year, highlighting robust performance in the global energy market and a resilient business model.
- Shareholder Return Policy: The company reported a net income of $128 million for Q4 2025 and declared a quarterly dividend of $2.15 per share, demonstrating a commitment to returning capital to shareholders and bolstering investor confidence.
See More
