US military tells ships with no need to be near Hormuz to stay well clear
A US Navy notice shared by maritime authorities on Oct. 28 says neutral ships may be questioned and searched under the blockade of Iran and should plan extra time, while traffic is already far below normal.
By James Mitchell ·
Why it matters: Ships that do use the strait face possible searches and longer transits, in a waterway where JMIC says traffic is already far below normal.
For information only, not investment advice.
If your ship has no business near the Strait of Hormuz, the US military would rather it stayed away. A US Navy notice dated Oct. 28, shared by the Joint Maritime Information Center, puts it plainly: "Due to the current geopolitical situation, vessels which do not need to transit the area are advised to remain well clear to avoid unnecessary delays to their voyage."
For ships that do go, the notice spells out what to expect. Neutral vessels moving between neutral ports in the Gulf of Oman and the strait may be questioned, visited and searched to confirm their intentions regarding the US blockade. Crews are told to follow all directions from US forces, have paperwork such as a bill of lading ready, and plan extra transit time for heavier traffic and blockade enforcement.
The blockade covers all Iranian ports and coastlines and applies to all vessels regardless of flag or ownership, according to the notice. The US describes it as a response to what it calls Iran's continued aggression and illegal attempts to control the strait.
In its Oct. 25 update, JMIC said traffic remained well below its 2025 average of about 138 vessels a day, with single-digit independently tracked transits and US-assisted transits averaging about 28 a day. JMIC counted about 492 vessels waiting outside the strait and 156 incidents since March 1, and said further attacks are highly likely.
The strait has been largely blocked and disrupted since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Feb. 28, Al Jazeera reported. Marine insurer The Swedish Club told its members on Oct. 19 to avoid the strait unless a transit is operationally essential.
Sources
- JMIC Advisory Note 016-26: Blockade Enforcement, Joint Maritime Information Center (UKMTO), relaying U.S. NAVCENT
- Update 108 to JMIC Advisory Note: Regional Tension - Impact on Maritime Security, Joint Maritime Information Center (copy hosted by dbce.org)
- Iran says Hormuz to remain closed until US meets conditions, Al Jazeera
- Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz: Operational Update, The Swedish Club
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