A report released on the 19th by Wenward, a UK-based maritime analysis firm, stated that 35 ships turned back from their attempts to exit the Strait of Hormuz in the past 36 hours after Iran briefly reopened it and then closed it again. The report said that after Iran announced the reopening of the strait on the 17th, ships reacted cautiously that day. On the 18th, traffic was initially sparse but quickly increased as ships rushed to pass before the situation worsened. A total of 35 ships passed through the strait that day: 8 entered (4 oil tankers, 2 bulk carriers, and 2 other cargo ships); and 27 exited (8 oil tankers, 3 bulk carriers, 15 other cargo ships, and 1 passenger ship). (Xinhua)