American ships are leaving the Persian Gulf. That doesn't mean unlocking the Ormuz yet.

On May 4, two merchant ships flying the U.S. flag safely crossed the Ormuz Strait and left the Persian Gulf. It's a CS Anthem chemical tanker, operated by Crowley Maritime, and a ro-ro Alliance Fairfax ship, operated by Maersk Line, Limited. The passages took place as part of the American Operation Project Freedom.

It's an important signal, but not yet. The crossings were held with the support of US forces, and US Navy missile destroyers continue to operate in the Ormuz area.

Two ships are not a breakthrough, but an exception

Crowley Maritime, managing the CS Anthem ship, reported that the unit had safely passed through Ormuz Strait. The company did not give details of the route or how it secured this passage. Under the current circumstances, it is understandable, because information about the movement of U.S.-flagged ships in this area is of operational importance.

On the same day, the Persian Gulf left Alliance Fairfax, a ro-ro ship carrying vehicles under the US flag. Maersk reported that the passage was possible thanks to a direct ace of the American armed forces.

If this information is true to the full extent, we are dealing not with the opening of the trail, but with individual, carefully prepared passages. In other words: Ormuz did not return to normal work. We managed to get two ships out.

"Project Freedom" and avoiding the most dangerous area

According to available information, Project Freedom is intended to allow units to be driven through Oman's territorial waters, south of the traditional traffic demarcation system. This is to create a safer corridor for ships that have remained in the Gulf since the end of February.

The situation in the Ormuzu area further aggravated the May 6 incident. On that day, U.S. forces shot up and immobilized the Iranian M/T Hasna tanker in the Oman Gulf. According to CENTCOM, the unit was to ignore warnings and attempt to break the U.S. blockade of Iranian ports. The tanker's rudder was damaged by fire with a 20-mm cannon F/A-18 Super Hornet fighter that took off from USS aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln.

Pokazuje to, że w rejonie Ormuzu nie chodzi już wyłącznie o wyprowadzanie statków handlowych z Zatoki Perskiej. Równolegle trwa egzekwowanie amerykańskiej blokady irańskich portów, co dodatkowo zwiększa ryzyko dla żeglugi w całym regionie.

Commercial ships in the US security system

CS Anthem and Alliance Fairfax are not random ships in this story. Both units are flying the U.S. flag, so their safe passage through Ormuz was an important test for Washington for the entire operation. Under current conditions, Washington has shown above all that it is able to carry its own ships through Ormuz in the ace of U.S. Navy ships.

These aren't random ships. Both ships were flying the U.S. flag, and their exit from the Persian Gulf was of greater importance than normal voyage commercial. Under current conditions, Washington shows above all that it is able to carry its own ships through Ormuz in the ace of U.S. Navy ships.

The Ormuz Strait remains a high-risk trail

Ormuz Strait can be formally open and at the same time remain a high risk area. For shipowners and insurance companies, it is not only the fact of the crossing, but also the risk of mines, drones, attacks on ships and the presence of warships.

Therefore, two successful crossings do not yet mean returning to normal shipping. Rather, they show that ships can be carried through Ormuz alone, after prior coordination and with the support of US forces.

Conclusion: Tactical success, not crisis end

The departure of CS Anthem and Alliance Fairfax from the Persian Gulf is an organizational success of the U.S., but does not prove the full unlocking of the Ormuz Strait. Until further transitions require special coordination and support U.S. Navy ships, shipowners will treat this route as a high-risk area.

Washington has shown that he can carry his own ships through the Ormuz. It has not yet shown that the commercial shipping has returned to normal rhythm.