U.S.-Led Maritime Center Reports Decline in Escorted Commercial Ships Through the Strait of Hormuz

A U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center reported that 70 commercial ships transited the Strait of Hormuz under U.S. coordinated escort over a 72-hour period from July 2 to July 4, below the pre-conflict average of 138 ships per day. According to Odaily, the center’s data showed the daily number of escorted transits continued to fall, with 33 ships on July 2, 29 on July 3, and 18 on July 4. The Strait of Hormuz has two shipping lanes: a southern lane near Oman and a northern lane controlled by Iran, the notice said. The center assessed the overall threat level across the Strait of Hormuz as “high.” It said mine risks remain in the waters and that mine-clearing survey operations are being conducted across the area. The notice also said interference with global navigation satellite systems has become routine across the region and will continue to pose hazards to vessel navigation safety.