Shipping traffic in the crucial Strait of Hormuz has dropped by more than 90 per cent since the conflict in the Middle East began, said the Royal Navy team monitoring the Middle East waters.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center, based in Portsmouth and comprising Royal Navy team members, said the escalation in security incidents has severely disrupted one of the world’s most important maritime routes, with only a small number of vessels attempting passage each day.
Officials reported that the decline in traffic comes amid repeated incidents affecting commercial shipping, forcing many operators to avoid the route altogether or remain anchored in the Gulf.
According to the team, more than two dozen ships have been damaged or suffered casualties attempting to run the gauntlet into/out of the Gulf.
UKMTO, established in the wake of the 2001 9/11 attacks, acts as both ‘999 call centre’ for seafarers passing through the Red Sea/Gulf/northern Indian Ocean, and an information service, warning of threats and dangers to mariners lawfully plying their trade.
Since Operation Epic Fury began at the end of February, reports coming into UKMTO have gone “through the roof” – in the Strait of Hormuz especially.
The center has recorded 41 incidents between March 1 and April 27, including:
“The most distressing calls are those from ships under attack,” said Commander Jo Black , UKMTO Head of Operations.
“It’s an absolutely terrifying experience for them – they’re civilians, they’re not prepared for this – drones, missiles, small arms fire aimed at their bridge or engine room, and threats to their safety – so they’re stressed, many speak only very rudimentary English and they’re trying to describe things often beyond their comprehension.”
“We try to calm them down, get them to explain what they can see, and what’s happening so that we can build an accurate picture to share with other seafarers and responding organisations.”
The attacks and threats have all but closed the traffic separation scheme, the ‘shipping motorway’, traditionally used by shipping to enter and exit the Gulf safely.
The impact on global trade is immediately evident courtesy of the oversize screens which dominate the operations room, some focused on the wider region, others zoomed into the strait itself.
“Occasionally, a ship will make its way in or out of the Gulf. Most do not,” the officials stated.
The team reported that before the strait was closed, around 130 ships a day were passing through. Now it’s been reduced to a trickle: fewer than ten vessels daily (a 2:1 split of ships leaving/entering).
“Our first concern is for the safety and security of seafarers,” Commander Black stressed.
“There are around 20,000 sailors on ships going nowhere.”
“Crew changes are not taking place. Sailors are not going home, food and supplies are getting through, but are reduced and there’s also the impact on mental health longer term. It’s not an issue yet, but if the situation persists, it’s likely to become one.”