Joint Maritime keeps Strait of Hormuz maritime threat at 'Severe'

LONDON, Jul 10: The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) has maintained the maritime security threat level in the Strait of Hormuz at SEVERE, warning shipowners, operators and mariners to remain vigilant as commercial traffic continues through the strategic waterway.

In Advisory Note 013-26 issued on Friday, JMIC said the expanded southern transit route remains open and available for all vessels despite recent unprovoked attacks on merchant ships. Mariners were advised to expect VHF hailing from naval forces and remain aware of mine danger areas identified in previous advisories.

JMIC strongly encouraged vessels to coordinate with the US Naval Forces Central Command's Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) for the latest safe transit information, while noting that such coordination is voluntary and ships may use the southern route without prior approval.

The advisory also stressed that no authority controls passage through the Strait of Hormuz and that no fees are required for transit, although additional routes outside the protected corridor remain available at operators' discretion.