Following Israel’s major military strikes on Iran, Greece and the United Kingdom have advised their merchant shipping fleets to avoid sailing through the Gulf of Aden and to log all voyages through the Strait of Hormuz, according to official advisories reviewed by Reuters.
The guidance reflects growing fears of regional instability after Israel targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites in a wide-ranging offensive on Friday. In response, concerns are mounting over Iran’s potential retaliation—particularly the threat to block the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil and commercial shipping.
In a document issued by Greece’s shipping ministry and circulated by its national shipping association, Greek shipowners were instructed to urgently report details of any Greek-owned vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz.
“Due to developments in the Middle East and the escalation of military actions in the wider region, the Ministry of Shipping urgently calls on companies to report vessel movements through the Strait,” the notice said.
The UK’s Department for Transport issued similar guidance, urging all UK-flagged ships—including those under the Gibraltar, Bermuda, and Isle of Man registries—to avoid the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. If transit is necessary, vessels are instructed to adopt the highest security measures and reduce crew exposure on deck.
Shipping safety experts say shipowners are increasingly choosing to steer clear of the Red Sea and Persian Gulf due to the elevated threat level. Jakob Larsen, chief security officer of BIMCO, a major shipping association, warned that if the United States is seen as complicit in Israel’s actions, the risk of Iranian escalation, such as missile strikes on ships or sea mine deployment, rises significantly.
Meanwhile, the EU’s Red Sea naval mission Aspides continues its operations but is closely monitoring the unfolding situation. “If needed, we will shift our strategy accordingly,” an official told Reuters.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategic maritime passages, handling a significant portion of global oil shipments. Any disruption could have widespread implications for global trade and energy markets.
Reuters/s.s