New Delhi/London, March 5 (NationPress) The maritime security situation in the Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf, and Strait of Hormuz has become increasingly unstable in the last 24 to 48 hours, primarily due to rising military tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Numerous incidents involving projectiles, missiles, and explosives have targeted commercial vessels, leading to a near-complete cessation of transits through this vital chokepoint.

Since the end of February, following US and Israeli strikes on Iranian positions, the region has experienced confirmed attacks on several merchant ships.

Reports indicate that between three and eight commercial vessels have been damaged or hit, including tankers and a container ship struck by projectiles near the Strait of Hormuz and the approaches to the Gulf of Oman.

There have been casualties, including at least one seafarer killed and others injured in incidents involving drone boats, missiles, and close calls. The volume of shipping traffic has dramatically decreased.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of the world's seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes, has seen only a limited number of crossings recently—well below normal levels—with some tracking services reporting almost no active transits in key lanes.

Hundreds of vessels, including oil tankers and LNG carriers, remain either anchored in regional waters or gathered in safer locations. Major shipping companies like Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have completely halted their operations through Hormuz. Some shipping routes are being redirected around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly prolonging travel times and increasing costs.

In addition to the physical threats, persistent GPS and AIS jamming is severely undermining navigation safety.

Maritime intelligence companies such as Windward have reported extensive electronic disruptions, with over 1,100 vessels affected recently, resulting in false positioning that shows ships on land, at airports, or near nuclear facilities.

This situation has created denial zones and introduced misleading signals throughout the Gulf, raising the risk of collisions and complicating situational awareness. In reaction, war-risk insurance providers—including Gard, Skuld, NorthStandard, London P&I Club, and the American Club—have issued cancellation notices for coverage in Iranian waters, the Persian Gulf, and surrounding areas, effective from March 5 onward.

This has compelled ship owners to explore prohibitively expensive alternatives or to avoid the region altogether, effectively stalling commercial activities. The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has raised the regional threat level to “CRITICAL,” indicating that attacks are almost inevitable.

The US MARAD advisories recommend that vessels steer clear of the area if possible, maintain a 30-nautical-mile distance from naval assets, and implement additional safety measures. Merchant vessels are strongly urged to practice “heightened vigilance,” enforce improved watchkeeping, cross-verify all navigation data (including radar and visual bearings), and strictly follow “Best Management Practices (BMP5 or MS)” security protocols when transiting or operating in the region.

Monitoring advisories from UKMTO, JMIC, and NAVCENT is crucial. The ongoing situation highlights the vulnerability of global energy supply chains, with the potential for further escalation amid persistent hostilities.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as the crisis threatens broader economic impacts.