A coalition of leading global shipping organisations has issued fresh safety guidance for vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, as security conditions in the region continue to deteriorate.
According to Ship & Bunker, the joint guidance — released on Wednesday, May 21, 2026 — outlines a range of threats that crews and operators must be prepared to encounter, including missile and drone attacks, GNSS jamming and spoofing, AIS manipulation, naval mines, and severe traffic congestion.
Who Is Behind the Guidance?
The document was produced and supported by a broad group of maritime industry bodies, including:
- BIMCO
- International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)
- INTERCARGO
- INTERTANKO
- OCIMF
- World Shipping Council
- Joint Maritime Information Center
The breadth of organisations involved signals the seriousness with which the industry is treating the current situation in and around the strait.
What the Guidance Recommends
Shipowners and masters are advised to conduct voyage-specific risk assessments before entering the area. The guidance also calls for heightened bridge watchkeeping and thorough preparation for potential electronic interference affecting onboard navigation systems.
Given the known risks of GNSS spoofing and jamming in the region, the document specifically recommends that vessels use radar, visual observations, and dead reckoning rather than relying exclusively on GNSS signals during transit.
On timing, the guidance notes that delaying passage may be the safer course of action during periods of heightened conflict. Operators are also urged to maintain close communication with UKMTO, NAVCENT, and other relevant naval coordination bodies throughout their transit.
Ship & Bunker also notes that Iran has announced plans to introduce a new vessel traffic management mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz, which would include transit tolls and designated shipping lanes.
Does This Matter to You?
For shipping operators, charterers, vessel masters, and maritime risk managers, this guidance is directly relevant. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, and the threats outlined — electronic warfare, drone and missile risk, and potential mine hazards — carry significant operational and safety implications.
Bunkering operators and port agents serving vessels on routes through the Persian Gulf and surrounding region should also be aware of how heightened risk may influence routing decisions, port calls, and fuel planning. Vessels diverting away from conventional Hormuz transit routes may affect demand patterns at regional bunkering hubs.
The involvement of INTERTANKO and OCIMF underscores that tanker operators in particular face elevated exposure, given the volume of crude and refined product moving through the strait.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
