Sal Mercogliano- What’s Going on With Shipping?
21JUN2026 The Strait of Hormuz Ship Show: Week 16 Update
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has escalated into what can only be described as a “ship show.” Following a brief moment of hope for a ceasefire and the reopening of the waterway, the emergence of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) has thrown maritime operations into chaos.
In this Week 16 recap, we break down the conflicting signals: while the U.S. declares the “Southern Highway” open and free for transit, Iran is asserting authority over the entire strait, demanding new “insurance” clearances that many in the industry view as a protection racket. We look at the data from Marine Traffic to see who is actually sailing, which ships are turning their AIS off, and why major carriers like Maersk remain cautious despite the diplomatic “14 points.”
In this episode:
⚓The impact of the PGSA’s new requirements on global shipping.
⚓Analysis of tanker movements: Who is using the Iranian vs. Omani channels?
⚓The reality of demining efforts and why the “Southern Highway” remains high-risk.
⚓US Blockade Officially Lifted & Toll Uncertainties
⚓How China and Russia are positioning themselves as oil and commodity markets shift.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuVb_Jjyh58
Sal Mercogliano- What’s Going on With Shipping?
24 Jun 2026: The Strait of Hormuz is the world’s most critical maritime choke point, but the question of who actually “owns” it is far from simple. In this video, we dive into the complex web of international law, territorial claims, and historical precedents that define control over these narrow waters. From the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to the specific claims of Iran and Oman, we break down why this 21-mile-wide passage remains the center of global shipping tension and what “right of transit passage” really means for the world’s fleet.
Key Highlights:
⚓The Geography of Control: A look at the Traffic Separation Schemes and how the territorial waters of Iran and Oman overlap in this 21-nautical-mile-wide strait.
⚓The Portuguese “Cartage” System: A historical look at how 16th-century Portugal used a passport and toll system to control trade in the region—and why today’s actions might feel like history repeating itself.
⚓UNCLOS Explained: An analysis of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). ⚓We discuss the rights of “Transit Passage” under Articles 37, 38, and 44, which prevent coastal states from hampering international shipping.
⚓The “Outlaw Sea”: Why maritime law is often described as the “Wild West” and how nations like the U.S. and Iran navigate a system they haven’t fully ratified.
⚓Global Comparisons: How the Strait of Hormuz compares to other major waterways like the Suez Canal, Panama Canal, the Turkish Straits, and the English Channel.
⚓Does Iran have the legal right to close the strait? Can Oman charge for passage? Watch to find out why the freedom of the seas remains the backbone of the global economy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPaCT6nRm88