The UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations) stated, this Monday (4), that the level of threat to maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz “remains critical” due to ongoing regional military operations. The entity’s warning comes after American President Donald Trump declared that the United States will begin escorting ships through the Strait of Hormuz, in an initiative he called “Project Freedom”.
In the statement, the UKMTO states that the “threat level remains CRITICAL due to ongoing regional military operations. Seafarers should expect increased naval presence, enhanced force protection postures, possible VHF calls and congestion near anchorage areas.”
JMIC Advisory Note 004-26
Click here to view the full advisory note⤵ᄅ
— UKMTO Operations Centre (@UK_MTO)
Still in the guidance, the maritime authority details that the to support transits through the Strait of Hormuz to the south of the TSS (Traffic Separation Scheme).
“Vessels choosing to transit the Strait of Hormuz should consider routing through Oman’s territorial waters, south of the TSS. Due to the anticipated volume of traffic, coordination with Omani authorities via VHF channel 16 is recommended to maintain safe navigation.”
Despite the increase in US security on the sea, the UKMTO reinforces the warning for vessels when traveling in the region, mainly because of unmapped mines.
“Traffic through or near the Traffic Separation Scheme should be considered extremely dangerous due to the presence of mines that have not been fully mapped or neutralized. Operators are encouraged to carefully review risk assessments and route planning prior to transit.”
US escort in the Strait of Hormuz
After President Donald Trump claimed that , here’s what you need to know about this for the global economy.
Just 34 kilometers wide at its narrowest point, the sea route between Iran and Oman is the main route for transporting crude oil from oil-rich countries such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait to the rest of the world.
Trump’s CENTCOM (United States Central Command) to help free ships stuck in the Strait of Hormuz.
The operation “will support commercial vessels seeking to transit freely through this essential international trade corridor,” CENTCOM said in a statement released on Sunday night.
US military support for the operation will include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, and 15,000 military personnel, the statement said.
The strait has been a crucial factor since the start of the conflict, after it was effectively closed by Tehran. In recent days, there have been only a few crossings, according to Kpler and other shipping data sources. Iran controls the northern side of the strait.
About 20 million barrels of oil — roughly a fifth of daily global production — used to pass through the strait every day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which classifies the canal as a “hotspot for oil.” According to the EIA, “there are very few alternatives for transporting oil out of the strait if it is closed.”
The strait also accounts for about a fifth of global liquefied natural gas trade.
On Saturday, Iranian state media reported that the country’s parliament is expected to pass a law providing for restrictions on which vessels can pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
What is happening in the Middle East?
The United States and Israel are at war with Iran. The conflict began on February 28, when a coordinated attack between the two countries killed the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, in Tehran.
Several high-ranking officials of the Iranian regime were also killed. In addition, the US claims to have destroyed dozens of the country’s ships, as well as air defense systems, planes and other military targets.
In retaliation, the ayatollah regime carried out attacks against several countries in the region, such as the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Iraq and Oman. Iranian officials say they are targeting only U.S. and Israeli interests in those nations.
More than 1,900 civilians have died in Iran since the start of the war, according to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency. The White House, in turn, recorded at least 13 deaths of American soldiers in direct relation to the Iranian attacks.
The conflict also expanded to Lebanon. Hezbollah, an armed group supported by Iran, attacked Israeli territory in retaliation for the death of Ali Khamenei. As a result, Israel has carried out aerial offensives against what it says are Hezbollah targets in the neighboring country. More than 2,500 have died on Lebanese territory since then.
With the death of much of its leadership, an Iranian council elected a new supreme leader: Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei. Experts point out that he will not make structural changes and represents continuity of repression.
Donald Trump showed dissatisfaction with this choice, classifying it as a “big mistake”. He had said that he would need to be involved in the process and said that Mojtaba would be “unacceptable” to Iran’s leadership.
