US Urges Merchant Ships to Use Southern Route in Hormuz Strait

Washington - The United States is encouraging merchant ships to continue using the southern shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz despite alleged Iranian attacks on several vessels in the region. The Joint Maritime Information Centre (JMIC) stated on Friday that the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz remains open and can be used by all vessels without the need for special coordination. Tracking data on Thursday showed that most ships were transiting the northern side of the strait, a route approved by Iran. Meanwhile, the US-backed route along the coast of Oman was virtually empty. “Despite the recent unprovoked attacks on merchant shipping, mariners are reminded that the southern transit lane in the Strait of Hormuz has been expanded and remains available for all traffic. Vessels may transit the southern route without coordination,” JMIC said. However, JMIC warned that the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz remains high. The agency also urged mariners to continue coordinating with the Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping and to follow applicable reporting and coordination procedures. In the early hours of Wednesday, the US military launched a series of strikes against Iran. US Central Command (CENTCOM) stated the strikes were in retaliation for Iranian actions against merchant vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran subsequently reported retaliatory attacks on US military bases in Bahrain and Kuwait. Tehran also accused Washington of violating a memorandum of understanding on the cessation of hostilities. President Donald Trump later declared that the ceasefire between the United States and Iran was no longer in effect. On Wednesday evening, the United States launched another wave of strikes against Iran.