Commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has nearly come to a complete halt, as the maritime security crisis continues to affect the Middle East. Although there have been no confirmed attacks on vessels for the past two days, the latest report from the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) indicates that the situation remains critical.
In its Update 009, JMIC states that the threat level for maritime activity in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman is still at a "CRITICAL" status. This means that attacks on commercial shipping are likely, and the conditions for operations are extremely dangerous.
Even though there were no new attacks on merchant vessels reported in the last 48 hours, JMIC warns that this should not be seen as a sign of improved conditions. Instead, it is just a temporary pause in hostilities.
“The lack of attacks in the last 48 hours should be viewed as a temporary break rather than a shift in intentions from adversaries,” the report stated. “Maritime operators should be prepared for the possibility of renewed threats with little warning.”
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center reported 13 security incidents affecting vessels in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman between February 28 and March 8, as noted in Advisory #2026 issued on March 9. Out of these incidents, 10 were considered attacks, and three involved suspicious activities, emphasizing the ongoing maritime security crisis in this vital shipping route.
According to Arsenio Dominguez, at least seven seafarers have died, and several others have been seriously injured in attacks on commercial ships during this crisis. He highlighted the impact on the maritime workforce while speaking at the International Maritime Organization's Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment meeting.
“I have consistently stated that any attack on innocent seafarers or civilian shipping is unacceptable,” Dominguez told representatives. “These seafarers are simply doing their jobs and providing a crucial service to the global community by ensuring the continuous flow of goods and energy.”
The attacks have turned one of the world's key maritime routes into a dangerous conflict zone. The Strait typically handles about 20 percent of global oil shipments and a significant portion of LNG exports, making it critically important for global trade. Even minor disruptions can have widespread effects on energy markets and supply chains.
The impact on global shipping has been severe. Monitoring of AIS-based traffic shows that commercial vessel crossings in the Strait of Hormuz have plummeted to just a few, with only one verified commercial transit recorded in the past 24 hours.
Normally, around 138 vessels move through the strait daily, making it the world’s most important chokepoint for crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
This drastic decline is due to various factors including security threats, insurance challenges, and shipowners exercising caution after a series of attacks earlier this month.
Despite the reduction in visible shipping traffic, some tankers may still be passing through the region without broadcasting their AIS signals.
The maritime analytics company TankerTrackers.com reported that six tankers complying with sanctions have been offline from AIS for over 48 hours west of the Strait of Hormuz. These include two Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), three Suezmax tankers, and one Panamax tanker, with destinations listed as China, India, and Japan.
One vessel, the Suezmax SHENLONG, reappeared on AIS while nearing Mumbai carrying about one million barrels of Saudi oil. This suggests that some ships may be deliberately limiting AIS transmissions while navigating through this high-risk area.
Although vessel attacks have paused for now, the advisory confirmed that offshore energy installations remain vulnerable.
On March 7, a drone strike damaged the offshore drilling rig ARABIA III near Al Jubayl, Saudi Arabia, further highlighting the increasing risk to energy facilities in the region.
This strike is part of a series of events affecting merchant ships since hostilities escalated in late February. Analysts suggest that the pattern indicates a campaign aimed at disrupting maritime trade instead of sinking ships directly.
“Recent incidents suggest a strategy focused on creating operational disruptions rather than solely attempting to sink vessels,” JMIC explained.
Alongside the direct threats, ships in the region are also encountering significant electronic disruptions.
JMIC reported over 600 GNSS disruption incidents in the last 24 hours, resulting in GPS spoofing, AIS irregularities, and intermittent signal loss across the affected waters. These disruptions are impacting hundreds of vessels and complicating navigation in already crowded areas, prompting authorities to recommend that mariners rely more on radar, visual guides, and cross-checking navigation systems.
War-risk insurance continues to influence shipping choices significantly.
The Joint War Committee's expansion of listed risk areas in the Persian Gulf has led to increased premiums and tighter underwriting conditions for vessels navigating the region.
While insurance coverage is still available, JMIC noted that these requirements could serve as a practical hindrance to transits, even without a formal closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Despite the temporary lull in vessel attacks, JMIC reported no clear signs of a de-escalation in the overall maritime security situation.
The advisory warned that vessels anchored, drifting, or operating predictably are especially at risk, as are ships assisting damaged vessels near previous incident areas.
The report also emphasized ongoing risks from missile and drone strikes, sabotage attacks using unmanned sea vessels or limpet mines, and the potential deployment of naval mines if tensions escalate further.
For now, the Strait of Hormuz remains open, but with shipping activity reduced to just a few movements and hundreds of vessels anchored across the Gulf, the most critical energy shipping corridor in the world is operating under increasingly risky conditions that resemble a wartime maritime exclusion zone.