Over the past three weeks, U.S. military forces have helped coordinate the passage of around 70 commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the key transport arteries of the global energy market, The New York Times reports, citing American officials.
Source: Bukvy
According to one official, the U.S. Central Command coordinated the movement of vessels entering or leaving the Persian Gulf. Most of them reportedly turned off their transponders while passing through the strait to avoid detection.
U.S. officials did not specify which vessels used the route or their exact destinations. However, it is noted that at least one route passed at a distance from the Iranian coastline. According to the American side, vessels approaching Iranian waters without Tehran’s approval risk becoming targets of drone or missile strikes.
Maritime analysts believe that the U.S.-coordinated routes pass closer to the coast of Oman.
Before the escalation in the region, more than 100 commercial vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily. Currently, that number is estimated to have dropped to around three vessels per day, indicating a significant decline in shipping activity.
Due to disabled transponders, it is difficult to independently verify the exact number of crossings — such voyages are referred to in the industry as “dark passages.”
Despite the risks, some shipowners agree to use routes coordinated by the United States. Some vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf for weeks, leading to financial losses and crew-related challenges.
For some companies, the U.S.-coordinated route has become an alternative to obtaining Iranian permission for passage or paying related fees. Tensions in the region have already affected global energy supplies and reduced trade volumes.