The tension in the Strait of Hormuz over the last months continues to pose serious threats to commercial vessels. Today, Thursday, November 7, a UK Chamber of Shipping spokesperson called for a de-escalation of tension in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that UK flagged ships will soon transit the area without close Royal Naval protection.
The UK Chamber of Shipping spokesperson added that
The safety of crews and ships in international waters is imperative. We continue to urge all ships operating in the region to liaise with the relevant authorities to ensure their safety and to enable the free flow of goods across the world. Global trade relies on the safe passage of goods and without this consumers and businesses could suffer with increased costs.
In fact, in July, the UK Government announced that the Royal Navy will escort British-flagged vessels when sailing though the Strait of Hormuz in support of free navigation, after noting that they didn’t have the resources to do so in the past.
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In September, it was further stated that the presence of the UK warships in the Strait of Hormuz has stabilized the commercial shipping operations, following the tensions in the area after Iran seized a UK-flagged tanker in the region, a British navy official reported to Reuters.
More recently, the Royal Navy announced that it has successfully guided over seven million tonnes of British shipping, which is the equivalent of almost 20 wartime convoys, through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of its maritime security commission in July.
It is further reminded that the six attacks against commercial vessels, the shoot-downs of a US Navy drone and an Iranian drone and the seizure of the UK-flagged ‘Stena Impero’ by Iranian authorities have caused disruption over the last months in the Strait of Hormuz, a major shipping route for world oil supply.
