Diving Companies See Windfall as Ships Clear Persian Gulf Bottleneck

The demand for commercial divers who clean ship hulls has surged significantly following a tentative peace agreement between the United States and Iran. This development has allowed vessels that were previously stranded in the Persian Gulf to begin their departure from the region, which had been disrupted by months of conflict around the Strait of Hormuz. Captain Manandeep Singh Kukreja of Prominence Shipping Services reports that requests for hull-cleaning crews have increased more than 30-fold since the announcement of the peace agreement. The fees for cleaning a single vessel are expected to rise up to 60%, from approximately $5,000 to $8,000.

Around 600 ships remain stuck in the Gulf after more than three months of disruption, with many accumulating algae, slime, and barnacles. These biofouling issues can prevent entry into ports due to invasive-species concerns, making hull cleaning a critical step before vessels can resume their journeys. Captain Kukreja predicts that the next 30 days will be highly lucrative for diving companies as they capitalize on this sudden demand.

The surge in demand for hull-cleaning services highlights the broader operational and financial challenges faced by shipowners during the period of conflict. The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important energy chokepoints, has seen hundreds of vessels stranded since fighting erupted in late February, disrupting oil shipments and driving up shipping and insurance costs. As peace talks offer a glimmer of hope for resuming normal maritime traffic, shipowners are scrambling to prepare their vessels for departure, underscoring the significant impact of regional instability on global energy flows.