This section discusses the risk levels, security protocols, and legal context of everything from coast guard inspections and maritime law enforcement efforts to piracy threats. This helps crews and companies to avoid danger while maintaining compliance.
19 articles
FeaturedThe International Maritime Organization is calling for urgent action against a resurgence of piracy in the Gulf of Aden, where six merchant ships and over 90 seafarers are being held captive. Somali piracy is again becoming a problem for ships moving between the Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden.
Kemal Can Kayar|2 min read|Aug 26, 2026
Iran has published a list of 46 vessels it says violated its arrangements for transiting the Strait of Hormuz, warning that the ships could face fines, detention, seizure or confiscation if they attempt future passages through the strategic waterway. The move puts shipowners in a difficult position, as complying with Tehran's transit regime could trigger US sanctions.
Kemal Can Kayar|2 min read|Aug 25, 2026
A surge in projectile attacks on the southern Omani corridor is pushing commercial shipping toward the Iranian-controlled northern route through the Strait of Hormuz, reshaping transit patterns in the critical oil chokepoint.
Kemal Can Kayar|2 min read|Aug 15, 2026
Ukraine's SBU and navy struck the loaded crude tankers Louise 1 and Banda with naval drones off Russia's Black Sea coast on July 16, part of a campaign Kyiv says has hit 147 shadow fleet vessels since July 6.
Kemal Can Kayar|3 min read|Jul 17, 2026
A projectile set the engine room of the laden Q-Flex LNG carrier Al Rekayyat on fire off Oman on July 6, the first strike on a Qatari LNG vessel since the war began. All crew were evacuated safely.
Kemal Can Kayar|3 min read|Jul 14, 2026
Royal Marines boarded and detained the stateless tanker Smyrtos with roughly 100,000 tonnes of Russian crude in the English Channel on June 14, the UK's first shadow fleet seizure, followed by 70 new sanctions entries on June 16.
Kemal Can Kayar|4 min read|Jun 16, 2026
Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority launches a public X account and publishes the first map of its claimed oversight zone across the Strait of Hormuz, as the IRGC says 26 vessels transited under its coordination.
Kemal Can Kayar|4 min read|May 20, 2026
Iran's strait authority publishes a 40-question declaration and fee process for Hormuz transits as the Indian dhow Haji Ali is sunk off Oman and the floating armory Hui Chuan is boarded off Fujairah.
Kemal Can Kayar|4 min read|May 14, 2026
IRGC naval forces fire on and divert the boxships Epaminondas and MSC Francesca at the Strait of Hormuz, the war's first merchant seizures, as more than 30 nations meet at Northwood to draft a protection mission.
Kemal Can Kayar|4 min read|Apr 23, 2026
A drone strike sets the fully laden Kuwaiti VLCC Al Salmi ablaze at a Dubai anchorage, the first Iranian attack on a loaded supertanker inside UAE waters. All 24 crew are safe and no spill is confirmed.
Kemal Can Kayar|4 min read|Mar 31, 2026
Iran's Revolutionary Guard declares the Strait of Hormuz closed to shipping linked to the United States, Israel and their allies, capping a week that produced a transit permit system, an allowlist and fees reported at up to $2 million.
Kemal Can Kayar|4 min read|Mar 27, 2026
A US and Israeli air campaign against Iran has all but shut the Strait of Hormuz within a day, and the first merchant tankers have been hit off Oman and the UAE, with crews evacuated and casualties reported.
Kemal Can Kayar|4 min read|Mar 1, 2026