Greece and UK Advise Merchant Vessels to Avoid the Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Aden
Greece and the United Kingdom have issued formal maritime advisories urging merchant vessels to alter their planned routes in response to escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. Following Israel’s significant airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets on June 13, both governments recommended that ships either report detailed voyage plans or avoid the high‑risk zones entirely.
The Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs has instructed all Greek‑owned and -managed vessels to submit comprehensive voyage reports prior to transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Given that Greek shipowners control more than one quarter of the world’s tanker fleet, Athens’ directive highlights the gravity of the regional security situation. Similarly, the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport has extended its warning to all Red Ensign–flagged ships, including those registered in British Overseas Territories, advising them to steer clear of the Gulf of Aden and the southern Red Sea unless absolutely necessary.
These advisories carry significant implications for global oil flows. The Strait of Hormuz serves as the gateway for roughly one‑fifth of the world’s crude oil exports, and any interruption could trigger sharp increases in benchmark prices. Insurers are already reassessing war‑risk premiums, and leading tanker operators have temporarily suspended bookings for Hormuz transits, citing elevated security costs and heightened threat levels.
Beyond crude markets, charterers and vessel planners must contend with longer voyage durations and higher bunker consumption if ships detour around the Cape of Good Hope. The measures come amid an already challenging environment in the Red Sea, where Houthi drone and missile attacks have forced rerouting and security upgrades. Industry bodies such as BIMCO and security firms like Ambrey recommend continuous monitoring of national advisories and real‑time threat assessments.
While major naval coalitions, including the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Force and European missions such as Aspides and EMASoH, maintain that commercial traffic remains open, they warn that the risk profile in the region has risen markedly. Operators are encouraged to implement heightened watchkeeping, minimize deck activities, and maintain direct communications with naval escorts where available.
In this fluid geopolitical landscape, charterers, shipowners and logistics planners must remain vigilant. Updating routing plans, factoring in new insurance costs, and preparing contingency protocols will be essential to safeguarding vessels, crews, and cargoes as tensions in the Middle East continue to unfold.
