Safety fears grow as shipping firms avoid US-guided Strait of Hormuz route

Shipping companies are avoiding a US-guided transit scheme through the Strait of Hormuz after Iranian attacks on vessels. The shift has raised fresh concerns over crew safety, Gulf exports and the security of regional shipping routes.

In Short

• Iranian mining forced vessels off established central lanes into makeshift routes
• Five ships were attacked in Omani waters since 7 July
• Around nine Greek-run LNG tankers remained stuck inside the strait

Shipping companies are increasingly avoiding a US military-guided transit route through the Strait of Hormuz after a series of Iranian attacks on commercial vessels heightened security concerns, citing maritime security and shipping industry sources.

The strategic waterway, which handles a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments, has become the focal point of escalating tensions between the United States and Iran, raising fears of further disruption to global energy supplies.

For decades, ships transited the Strait of Hormuz using internationally recognised shipping lanes established by the United Nations' maritime agency in 1968. However, since the conflict between Iran and the United States intensified on February 28, Iranian forces have reportedly mined parts of the traditional route, forcing commercial vessels to sail through makeshift corridors closer to either the Iranian or Omani coastline.

According to reports, attacks on commercial vessels have intensified in recent weeks. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on Tuesday claimed responsibility for attacks on two Emirati oil supertankers. Since July 7, at least five vessels—including three crude oil supertankers, one LNG carrier and one container ship—have reportedly come under attack in Omani waters, where the US-guided transit scheme has primarily operated.

Shipping executives said that many companies are now reconsidering or suspending voyages through the area due to growing risks to crews and vessels.

US ESCORT OPERATION UNDER PRESSURE

Reports had earlier reported that the US military launched a coordinated operation using helicopters, aerial drones and maritime drones to guide commercial tankers through the Strait of Hormuz. The initiative enabled the movement of tens of millions of barrels of crude oil, helping reduce the impact of supply disruptions on global energy prices.

However, industry experts say the latest attacks have undermined confidence in the operation.

"The US doesn't seem to have any control over the situation," one shipping industry told, adding that the company had decided not to send vessels through the strait because of crew safety concerns.

US SAYS WATERWAY REMAINS OPEN

Despite the security concerns, the White House maintained that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to commercial shipping. White House spokesperson Olivia Wales accused Iran of targeting civilian vessels and said the United States was responding to protect freedom of navigation.

A US defence official had said that more than 100 vessels had coordinated directly with the US military to transit the strait over the past week, while over 300 ships had passed through the wider region.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that the Strait of Hormuz "is open to ALL Ship traffic except for Iran."

Maritime security firms continue to urge caution. Greek security companies Diaplous and MARISKS have advised shipping operators to delay voyages through the strait, warning that current conditions do not provide an acceptable level of safety for commercial transit.

- Ends
With Reuters inputs