Shipping Firms Shun US-Guided Hormuz Transits After Iranian Attacks, Sources Say

A number of shipping companies are opting out of a U.S. military-guided transit scheme through the Strait of Hormuz, citing escalating safety concerns after a recent wave of Iranian attacks on vessels, according to seven maritime security and shipping industry sources. The reluctance casts doubt on the effectiveness of international efforts to secure one of the world's most vital maritime chokepoints for energy exports.

Heightened Security Risks

The concerns follow a significant uptick in hostilities in the region. Since July 7, at least five commercial ships have been attacked in Omani waters, an area covered by the U.S. security initiative. The targeted vessels include three crude supertankers, one liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, and one container ship.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards have claimed responsibility for attacks on two Emirati oil supertankers, according to a Reuters report. In response to the incidents, the U.S. Navy-led Joint Maritime Information Center recently upgraded its risk assessment for ships in the strait to "severe", one level below the highest classification of "critical."

Industry Response and Market Impact

The deteriorating security situation is prompting a direct response from the shipping industry. One shipping source, whose company has halted transits through the strait, told Reuters, "The U.S. doesn’t seem to have any control over the situation." Torbjorn Solvedt, an analyst with Verisk Maplecroft, noted that Iran's ability to target ships on the Omani route suggests the U.S. solution is "unlikely to work."

Maritime security firms are advising caution:

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• Diaplous, a Greek firm, advised clients on Tuesday to pause voyages until Saturday.
• MARISKS, another advisory service, stated, "At this stage, there is no assurance that transits through the Strait of Hormuz can be conducted with an acceptable level of safety."

As a result of the uncertainty, around nine Greek-operated LNG tankers that entered the Gulf to load cargo are now stuck inside the strait, another shipping source said.

Official Stance and Geopolitical Context

The U.S.-assisted transit initiative was established after Iranian forces reportedly mined the standard shipping lanes, forcing vessels onto makeshift routes. U.S. officials maintain that the security efforts are effective. A defense official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that in the past week, more than 100 vessels had directly coordinated with the U.S. military for passage.

White House spokeswoman Olivia Wales stated that the "Strait of Hormuz is open, and oil is flowing," while condemning Iran's actions as "international terrorism." The tensions are part of a broader conflict, with the U.S. having re-imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and Iran threatening to disrupt other regional energy export routes.