New Delhi, March 6: A maritime threat looms over the Gulf of Oman, the Persian Gulf, and the Strait of Hormuz due to escalating military tensions among Iran, the United States, and Israel. The situation has become highly unstable over the past 24 to 48 hours.
Several projectiles, missiles, and explosive attacks have targeted commercial vessels, nearly halting maritime traffic through this critical waterway.
Since late February, when the U.S. and Israel launched strikes on Iranian positions, Iran has initiated retaliatory actions. Reports confirm multiple attacks on merchant ships.
At least three to eight commercial vessels, including oil tankers and a container ship, have sustained damage. The assaults involved drone boats, missiles, and close-range explosions, resulting in at least one sailor’s death and several injuries.
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route through which approximately 20% of the world’s maritime oil and liquefied natural gas is transported. Recently, only a few vessels have been spotted in the area, significantly below normal levels.
Hundreds of ships, including oil tankers and LNG carriers, remain trapped in the waters or are anchored in safe locations. Major shipping operators like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have completely halted transit through the Hormuz route. Some vessels are now being rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope, increasing travel time and costs substantially.
Adding to the risks, “continuous GPS and AIS jamming” has severely compromised navigation safety.
Maritime intelligence firms have recorded over 1,100 instances of electronic interference on ships in recent days, leading to false location displays for many vessels.
Several war risk insurance providers have canceled coverage for Iranian waters, the Persian Gulf, and surrounding areas, making alternative measures costly and challenging for ship owners.
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has raised the threat level in the area to critical, indicating that attacks are highly likely.
The U.S. MARAD advisory has urged vessels to avoid the area if possible, maintain a distance of 30 nautical miles from naval assets, and implement enhanced safety measures. Merchant ships are advised to exercise increased vigilance, maintain heightened surveillance, cross-verify all navigation inputs (including radar and visual bearings), and strictly adhere to “Best Management Practices (BMP5 or MS)” security protocols while transiting or operating in the region.
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