US Reduces Escort Windows for Hormuz Shipping... Shifts to 'Long-term Response System'

Reduction of Aerial Defense Windows Along Omani Coast
Reflects Burden of Defense Costs and Concerns Over Prolonged Tensions

The US military has reduced the time window for naval escort through the Strait of Hormuz to twice a day in response to increasing attacks on merchant vessels by Iran, the Financial Times (FT) reported on September 12 (local time).

According to an email from the US Navy's Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) to maritime advisors, since the beginning of this month the US military has restricted permitted transit times through the Strait of Hormuz to two specific windows per day.

In the email, NCAGS stated, "We are providing recommended transit windows that vary by date," adding, "It is not mandatory to cross during these times, but for optimal defensive support, transit during the specified windows is recommended." The email also noted, "It has not been proven that nighttime is the safest time to transit each day."

Since May, the US military has been providing aerial defensive support to vessels sailing along the southern Omani coast of the Strait of Hormuz to block Iranian attacks and ensure the continued global supply of crude oil through the Gulf. As a result, shipowners have been reporting their transit plans to NCAGS in advance and, following the coordinates provided by the US military, have mostly crossed the Strait at night under the protection of US military aircraft.

The FT noted that the adjustment in US escort timings coincided with an escalation in merchant vessel attacks between the United States and Iran. On September 9, Iran announced that it had attacked 10 vessels near the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the US sinking five of its oil tankers. This is the largest-scale vessel attack since the conflict began.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in February, about 70 merchant vessels have come under attack by Iran. According to a report released on September 7 by Clarkson, a shipbuilding and shipping market analysis firm, disruptions to vessel operations in the Strait of Hormuz due to heightened tensions may continue through the second half of next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.