Ships 'go dark' in bid to transit Strait of Hormuz
The world’s most important oil chokepoint is becoming a black hole.
Commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed dramatically since the US resumed strikes on Iran two weeks ago, with traffic falling to levels not seen since the height of the conflict as insurance costs soar and security risks mount — but some vessels secretly continue to brave the waterway anyway.
Iran has declared the waterway closed, threatening any ships that dare to transit the international waterway without Tehran’s express permission. The US holds that the strait remains open — except to ships sailing to or from Iranian ports.
Some vessels are disappearing from public tracking systems, maritime analysts say, while others appear to be sailing closer to Iran’s side of the narrow waterway — raising fresh questions about whether Tehran is quietly tightening its grip on global commerce and if it’s profiting from ships seeking safe passage.
The unusual traffic patterns come after weeks of Iranian attacks and threats against commercial shipping sent the rate of vessels sailing through the strait plunging.
Tagged: Middle East BACK TO HOMEPAGE