Ships In The Strait Of Hormuz Have Started Transmitting Unusual Messages
- 27.06.2025, 10:22
What's going on?
Ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz have begun transmitting unusual radio messages to reduce the risk of an attack. This comes amid a suspended ceasefire between Israel and Iran, Reuters reported, citing maritime risk assessment analytics firm Windward.
According to Windward and Vessel Tracking Systems, more than 50 vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have transmitted more than 100 irregular radio messages since the conflict between Israel and Iran in early June, and after U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
These signals contained phrases like "owned by China" or "Russian oil" - with the expectation that ships associated with China or Russia would be less likely targets for attacks than, for example, British, American or Israeli-flagged vessels.
"Because of the confusing ownership patterns of ships, it is difficult to quickly understand which country they actually belong to. Therefore, ship owners tend to designate a 'safe' nationality in advance to reduce risks," explained Windward Director Ami Daniel.
According to the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), commercial ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz increased by 30% the day after the ceasefire was declared on June 24. It should be noted that about 20% of the world's oil and fuel consumption is transported through this strategic narrow sea passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Previously, such practice of transmitting "protective" radio messages was observed only in the Red Sea, where ships were attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels after the start of Israel's conflict with the Gaza Strip. But now it has spread to the Persian Gulf.
"I've never seen this in the Persian Gulf before," Daniel noted.
What is the importance of the Strait of Hormuz? Could Iran shut it down? Who will suffer more from this?
The agency gives some examples of such messages.
A Panamanian-flagged vessel Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan, sailing to Pakistan, transmitted the message: "PKKHI all Chinese" - allegedly the entire crew is Chinese.
The Chinese supertanker Yuan Yang Hu, carrying oil from Saudi Arabia to China, transmitted "Chinese ship" in the Strait of Hormuz and later changed the message to the port of destination - "CN NBG" (Ningbo-Zhoushan).
The Singapore-flagged container ship Kota Cabar signaled, "Vsl no link Israel" as it sailed through the Red Sea.
In addition, JMIC reports that there have been instances of electronic interference affecting the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in the region. This can cause vessels to veer off course and increase the risk of collisions.