Scouring the Strait of Hormuz for Mines Could Take Weeks

LONDON, June 15 (Reuters) – Ensuring the Strait of Hormuz is safe from mines could delay a return to normal shipping traffic by weeks following a deal to reopen the waterway, shipping and maritime security sources say.

The operation by conventional minesweepers and state-of-the-art underwater drones could continue for 40 to 50 days before many insurance, shipping or oil companies are confident enough to sail through, according to assessments from five Western maritime security sources.

That could potentially hold up tens of millions of barrels of oil, in addition to the oil supply from the Gulf