BIMCO has published new industry guidance to support the safe management of vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz.
The guidance has been developed with several maritime organisations, including the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF).
It is intended to help shipowners, operators, charterers, masters and crews carry out voyage-specific threat and risk assessments when planning or conducting transits through the Strait of Hormuz.
The document outlines current threats and sets out operational considerations covering vessel movement, anchoring and waiting positions, congestion, communications, routing, and potential legal or sanctions exposure.
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For vessels required to wait at anchor or drift, the guidance advises that movement should be considered where it is safe to do so. The document states: “Where vessels are required to wait at anchor or drift, consider maintaining periodic movement […] to complicate targeting, particularly where the vessel, operator, flag or cargo may be of interest to hostile actors.”
It also highlights the risk of congestion if a significant number of vessels seek to transit the Strait at the same time. According to the guidance, extreme congestion could increase the risk of collision, place pressure on vessel traffic services and limit the availability of tugs, pilots and salvage assets.
The document also refers to legal and sanctions-related risks linked to any payments demanded for transit or port services. It states: “Payments demanded for transit or port services may create sanctions or secondary-sanctions risk for the vessel, operator, and charterers.”
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BIMCO said the guidance has been issued to support companies and crews in making informed operational decisions when transiting the area.
The Strait of Hormuz links the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and remains one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints.
For more information:
BIMCO – https://www.bimco.org/
