Trump announces mechanism for merchant ships to escape Strait of Hormuz, industry doubts effectiveness
U.S. President Trump announced the 'Project Freedom' initiative to guide merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but industry players are skeptical about its effectiveness without military escort. The plan risks escalating tensions with Iran.
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- 📰 Published: May 4, 2026 at 11:35
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Washington, D.C. (CNA) — U.S. President Trump today announced the 'Project Freedom' initiative, aimed at guiding merchant ships through the Strait of Hormuz. The plan does not involve U.S. naval escort, but Trump warned of a strong response if interfered with.
Axios news network quoted U.S. officials saying that U.S. naval vessels would initially be 'nearby' to prevent Iranian attacks on merchant ships passing through the strait if necessary. The U.S. Navy's main role is to provide merchant ships with information on the best routes in the strait, especially which routes have not been mined by the Iranian military.
However, Axios believes that despite Trump's claims of the new initiative being humanitarian, it clearly challenges Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran resorts to force, it could lead to confrontation, or even escalate into another war.
Trump wrote today on Truth Social: 'Countries around the world... have asked the United States for help in getting their ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz out. For the benefit of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have informed these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of restricted waters, allowing them to freely and smoothly continue their operations.'
The Wall Street Journal quoted two senior U.S. officials stating that this new mechanism, dubbed 'Project Freedom' by Trump, is effectively a coordination center responsible for arranging vessel transit through the strait. Participants include governments, insurance companies, and shipping organizations, and currently does not involve U.S. Navy escort.
However, European diplomatic circles and shipowners believe that a coordination mechanism alone, without military escort, is unlikely to significantly change the situation in the strait.
U.S. senior officials stated that Trump's new initiative would include locating mine positions and providing relevant information to passing vessels to avoid dangerous areas, while also identifying the safest navigation routes overall. The U.S. is seeking information support from other countries to help identify safe navigable channels.
Trump said the initiative would begin in the early morning of the 4th, Middle East time, and threatened that if the plan was interfered with, 'it would unfortunately have to be dealt with forcefully.'
According to data from Lloyd's List, a global shipping authority, Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, has reduced the number of vessels passing through the strait to the lowest level since the war began. The Strait of Hormuz not only carries 20% of global oil and natural gas transport but is also a vital route for fertilizers, aluminum, and helium; helium is crucial for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
Traders quickly expressed skepticism about whether Trump's new measures could clear the strait. Kostas Karathanos, COO of Athens-based shipping company GasLog, said: 'This initiative is quite vague. Because if guided by Western warships, it would be even easier for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to target them.'
Comprehensive data from brokerage firms, shipowners, and vessel tracking agencies show that about 1,600 vessels are currently stranded on both sides of the Persian Gulf. A European shipowner with four ships stranded in the Persian Gulf stated that 'a clear ceasefire' must occur for their ships to be freed.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the Trump administration last month requested countries to join a proposal called the 'Maritime Freedom Construct,' hoping to establish a new international coalition to ensure vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz. This U.S.-led coalition would share information, conduct diplomatic coordination, and enforce sanctions, but so far no country has responded.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said today that Iran is beginning to feel the pressure from the U.S. blockade of its ports, and with storage facilities gradually filling up, it may soon have to shut down some oil wells. 'We believe this could happen within a week.'
However, officials and analysts point out that despite the increased pressure on Tehran from the U.S. blockade, economic pressure alone may not be enough to make the Iranian government abandon its long-term strategic goals, including maintaining its nuclear program and continuing to support proxy armed groups in the region. (Compiled by Chen Yi-Wei) 1150504
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Axios news network quoted U.S. officials saying that U.S. naval vessels would initially be 'nearby' to prevent Iranian attacks on merchant ships passing through the strait if necessary. The U.S. Navy's main role is to provide merchant ships with information on the best routes in the strait, especially which routes have not been mined by the Iranian military.
However, Axios believes that despite Trump's claims of the new initiative being humanitarian, it clearly challenges Iran's control over the Strait of Hormuz. If Iran resorts to force, it could lead to confrontation, or even escalate into another war.
Trump wrote today on Truth Social: 'Countries around the world... have asked the United States for help in getting their ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz out. For the benefit of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have informed these countries that we will guide their ships safely out of restricted waters, allowing them to freely and smoothly continue their operations.'
The Wall Street Journal quoted two senior U.S. officials stating that this new mechanism, dubbed 'Project Freedom' by Trump, is effectively a coordination center responsible for arranging vessel transit through the strait. Participants include governments, insurance companies, and shipping organizations, and currently does not involve U.S. Navy escort.
However, European diplomatic circles and shipowners believe that a coordination mechanism alone, without military escort, is unlikely to significantly change the situation in the strait.
U.S. senior officials stated that Trump's new initiative would include locating mine positions and providing relevant information to passing vessels to avoid dangerous areas, while also identifying the safest navigation routes overall. The U.S. is seeking information support from other countries to help identify safe navigable channels.
Trump said the initiative would begin in the early morning of the 4th, Middle East time, and threatened that if the plan was interfered with, 'it would unfortunately have to be dealt with forcefully.'
According to data from Lloyd's List, a global shipping authority, Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports, has reduced the number of vessels passing through the strait to the lowest level since the war began. The Strait of Hormuz not only carries 20% of global oil and natural gas transport but is also a vital route for fertilizers, aluminum, and helium; helium is crucial for the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
Traders quickly expressed skepticism about whether Trump's new measures could clear the strait. Kostas Karathanos, COO of Athens-based shipping company GasLog, said: 'This initiative is quite vague. Because if guided by Western warships, it would be even easier for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard to target them.'
Comprehensive data from brokerage firms, shipowners, and vessel tracking agencies show that about 1,600 vessels are currently stranded on both sides of the Persian Gulf. A European shipowner with four ships stranded in the Persian Gulf stated that 'a clear ceasefire' must occur for their ships to be freed.
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that the Trump administration last month requested countries to join a proposal called the 'Maritime Freedom Construct,' hoping to establish a new international coalition to ensure vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz. This U.S.-led coalition would share information, conduct diplomatic coordination, and enforce sanctions, but so far no country has responded.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said today that Iran is beginning to feel the pressure from the U.S. blockade of its ports, and with storage facilities gradually filling up, it may soon have to shut down some oil wells. 'We believe this could happen within a week.'
However, officials and analysts point out that despite the increased pressure on Tehran from the U.S. blockade, economic pressure alone may not be enough to make the Iranian government abandon its long-term strategic goals, including maintaining its nuclear program and continuing to support proxy armed groups in the region. (Compiled by Chen Yi-Wei) 1150504
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the CNA 'First News' APP to stay updated.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.