Joint Maritime Information Center: The southern route of the Strait of Hormuz remains open

A report released on the 10th by the U.S.-led Joint Maritime Information Center said that the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz, with navigation assistance provided by the U.S. military, remains open. However, statistics from multiple maritime information platforms show that in recent days only sporadic vessels have passed through the southern route.

The report was released to the public that day by the UK Maritime Trade Operations Office. The report said that the maritime security threat level for the Strait of Hormuz remained at “serious,” but that the “southern route of the Strait of Hormuz has been expanded and continues to be open to all vessels.”

However, data from institutions including the Winward Maritime Analysis Company show that, due to the continued clashes between the U.S. and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz’s shipping volume has recently dropped sharply, with the southern route being essentially abandoned and only sporadic vessels transiting. After a U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding was reached, the Strait of Hormuz mainly has two transit routes: a northern route under Iranian control and a southern route near the Oman side, with the U.S. military providing navigation assistance on the southern route. In its report, the Joint Maritime Information Center noted: “There is no competent authority responsible for managing vessel transit on any route, and there is no need to pay any transit fees.”

In May this year, Iran announced the establishment of a new body to manage the Strait of Hormuz, the “Persian Gulf Strait Management Authority,” requiring vessels transiting the relevant waters to coordinate with Iran’s side and obtain permission. The U.S. government immediately added the body to its sanctions list. (Xinhua News Agency)