West P&I Club has issued an advisory on the safe navigation of seafarers through the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.
The Persian Gulf is a crucial channel for the transit of goods, however, it is currently grappling with geopolitical tensions, as well as significant maritime security threats, which have been disrupting commercial shipping operations in the region.
In the advisory, West has emphasized the importance of vigilance and staying well-informed for those navigating or transiting these areas, in order to protect both crew safety and operational continuity.
To mitigate risks, seafarers and shipping companies are advised to do the following:
- A continuous risk assessment should be made when planning a voyage to the region; navigation officers are advised to make a note of the latest advisories from UKMTO (United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations), JMIC (Joint Maritime Information Center), or contact Loss Prevention to be given a Risk Intelligence report for the area.
- Always maintain situational awareness and check for suspicious vessels or aircraft using all available means. VHF Channel 16 and the UKMTO advisories should be monitored for real-time updates.
- Navigation officers are to be alerted of the potential AIS spoofing and GPS anomalies. To mitigate the risk, they are to cross-check positions with radar/ visual range and bearings.
- Crew should be prepared via a safety briefing before entering the area. Furthermore, regular security drills should have been conducted, and all crew members are familiar with emergency communication protocols.
- Look at hardening the vessel by implementing physical security measures along with potentially elevating ISPS (International Ship and Port Facility Code) security levels to Level 3 in high-risk zones.
- Implement BMP 5 best practices
- Maintain regular contact with naval authorities and report any suspicious activity immediately. West advises registering with UKMTO before entering the Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA). Ensure that emergency contact lists are up to date and easily accessible.
- Ensure that the war risk insurance certificate is up to date and log all incidents and suspicious sightings in the ship’s logbook.
