The International Transport Workers Federation has designated the Strait of Hormuz a Temporary Extended Risk Zone following recent tanker attacks in the Gulf of Oman, including Iran's seizure last month of the Stena Impero. The strait received the designation following discussions by the International Bargaining Forum's Warlike Operations Areas Committee taking place over … [Read more...]
British Frigates Heads for Tanker Escort Mission in Persian Gulf
LONDON, Aug 12 (Reuters) - British warship HMS Kent set sail for the Gulf on Monday to join a U.S.-led mission protecting commercial shipping vessels in the region amid heightened political tension between the West and Iran. Britain has joined the United States in a maritime security mission in the Gulf to protect merchant vessels. That comes after Iran seized a British … [Read more...]
U.S. Warns of GPS ‘Spoofing’ in Persian Gulf
By Tony Capaccio (Bloomberg) --The U.S. military is warning that Iranian naval forces may increase “aggressive actions” against American and allied commercial ships, citing reports from crews that experienced navigation and communications jamming. “Vessels have reported GPS interference, bridge-to-bridge communications spoofing, and/or other communications jamming with … [Read more...]
U.S. Tells Commercial Vessels to Send Gulf Transit Plans in Advance
By Sylvia Westall DUBAI, Aug 8 (Reuters) - The U.S. maritime agency has told U.S.-flagged commercial vessels they should send transit plans in advance to American and British naval authorities if they intend to sail in Gulf waters following several incidents over tankers involving Iran. The seizure of commercial vessels and attacks on tankers near the Strait of Hormuz have … [Read more...]
Saudi, U.S. Energy Ministers Express Concern Over Threats to Maritime Traffic in the Gulf
CAIRO, Aug 6 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih met U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Tuesday in Washington and said both sides expressed concern over threats targeting freedom of maritime traffic in the Arabian Gulf. "The meeting... dealt with the two countries' concern over threats targeting freedom of maritime traffic in the Arabian Gulf. We … [Read more...]