INTERTANKO urges an internationally coordinated approach following the announcement of Project Freedom

4 May 2026

4 May 2026 - immediate release

It has been reported that US Central Command (CENTCOM) will begin supporting “Project Freedom” from 4 May, in an effort to restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Commenting on the development, INTERTANKO Marine Director Phillip Belcher said: “It is too early to assess whether this represents a positive step. Details remain limited, and the threat to merchant vessels from Iran persists. It is unclear whether the United States would intervene in the event of an Iranian response, or how traffic flows would be managed by the Omani Coast Guard.”

He added: “Our current understanding is that the US will provide overwatch from naval and air assets, setting conditions for heightened security to enable transits. Vessels are expected to transit within Omani territorial waters, with the Omani Coast Guard responsible for traffic coordination. Ships should maintain contact with Omani authorities on VHF Channel 16. The immediate priority appears to be facilitating the safe exit of vessels from the Gulf, with AIS operated in accordance with company policy.”

Before transits resume, the industry must be provided with clear, verified information relating both to developments in Iran and to measures introduced by the United States. This is particularly important for navigational safety, including the status of alternative routing, reported mines within the traffic separation scheme (TSS) and surrounding waters, and the nature of any interaction with the IRGC in a sanctions context.

INTERTANKO Managing Director Tim Wilkins reiterated: “Any resumption of transits must be underpinned by clear, consistent and coordinated navigational guidance. The safety of navigation and the welfare of seafarers must remain paramount, with operational decisions fully reflecting the human element, including workload, fatigue and the pressures faced by crews in the Gulf.” As the situation evolves, INTERTANKO is actively working with Members and industry partners to support a safe and orderly transition towards resumed operations.

Safe Transit Guidance for the Strait of Hormuz is being developed by INTERTANKO for use by the wider industry to assist Masters and operators in planning transits once immediate threats have receded.

INTERTANKO’s Members are on the frontline of this crisis. A total of 105 tankers, operated by 43 Member companies, remain in the Persian Gulf, with approximately 2,448 seafarers exposed to a complex, highly uncertain environment.

BACK