According to Reuters, Greece issued a series of warnings to shipowners to avoid sailing close to Iranian waters days before Tehran seized two tankers amid heightening tensions in the region.
As explained, Iran seized a second oil tanker in a week on Wednesday in Gulf waters, the U.S. Navy said, the latest escalation in a series of seizures or attacks on commercial vessels in Gulf waters since 2019.
Due to recent Iranian threats of possible retaliation against Greek shipping, we strongly recommend the navigation in the above area as well as in the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman to be carried out, if possible, outside the waters under Iran’s jurisdiction, and under increased caution when sailing near the above areas.
…Greece’s shipping ministry said in an advisory dated April 20 seen by Reuters.
Greece has issued a couple of informal warnings for the seafarers in the area a few weeks ago.
…a Greek shipping industry official with knowledge of the issue told Reuters separately.
According to Reuters, about a fifth of the world’s crude oil and oil products passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow choke point between Iran and Oman, according to data from analytics firm Vortexa.
Maritime security company Ambrey said following the initial warning by Greece’s shipping ministry, it “observed the exodus of an unusually high number of Greek-flagged vessels from the Gulf region”.