London [UK], May 1 (ANI): Shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz has plunged amid escalating West Asia tensions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s retaliatory actions, with traffic down by more than 90 percent, maritime security officials say.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a Royal Navy-led monitoring body, reported more than 40 incidents between March 1 and April 27, including attacks, vessel damage, harassment and near-misses involving merchant ships in the area. The monitoring team said ships or crew were either directly hit or suffered collateral effects, such as shrapnel from intercepted drones, and several vessels were harassed or forced to turn back. At least 26 incidents involved direct attacks on merchant vessels.
Before the escalation, which began on February 28 after US and Israeli strikes killed the former Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, prompting retaliatory strikes by Tehran on Israeli and US assets in the region, about 130 ships transited the strait daily. That figure has since fallen to fewer than 10 vessels a day, effectively bringing one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints to a near standstill.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital global energy shipping route, and the disruptions are affecting global trade and energy supply chains amid the power struggle between Washington and Tehran. UKMTO officials said between 850 and 870 large merchant vessels are stranded inside the Gulf, unable to exit safely because of security risks in the narrow waterway.
“Our first concern is the safety and security of seafarers. There are around 20,000 sailors on ships going nowhere. Crew changes are not happening, and supplies are becoming strained,” said Commander Jo Black, Head of Operations at UKMTO, adding concerns about the mental well-being of seafarers if the situation continues.
Established after the 9/11 attacks and operated with Royal Navy support, UKMTO serves as a maritime security information hub for vessels operating across the Red Sea, Gulf region and northern Indian Ocean. The centre, which uses AIS tracking systems, voluntary ship reports and open-source intelligence, has played a critical role during episodes of Somali piracy and more recent threats in the Red Sea.
Officials warned that prolonged disruption in the region could affect global trade routes and raise risks beyond the Gulf, including a possible resurgence of piracy off Somalia. UKMTO said it continues to issue real-time advisories and warnings to help ensure maritime safety amid what it described as one of the most volatile periods in recent years for international shipping lanes. (ANI)
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