Qatar fully resumes maritime navigation after war-related disruptions

Qatar’s Ministry of Transport announced on Friday that maritime navigation activities will resume fully around the clock for all types of vessels starting Saturday, May 2, at 12:00 a.m. local time. The decision follows a period of partial reopening after a temporary suspension imposed on Feb. 28 as a precautionary measure to ensure public safety amid the outbreak of war in the Middle East. Maritime operations had partially resumed on April 12 from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., following a gradual reopening that began on March 30.

Conflict and ceasefire context

The United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, prompting Iranian retaliation against US allies in the Gulf and leading to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire was announced on April 8 through Pakistani mediation, followed by talks in Islamabad on April 11-12, but no agreement was reached. President Trump later unilaterally extended the truce at Pakistan’s request without setting a new timeframe. Qatar’s full resumption of maritime activities signals a cautious return to normalcy, though the strait itself remains largely closed.