Shipping on alert as Israel retaliates against Iran

Israel launched an attack on Iran on Friday, sparking concerns about the conflict escalating further across the seas of the Middle East.

Iranian state media reported that air defence batteries had been activated against unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) after reports of explosions near a major airbase close to the city of Isfahan.

Maritime security experts are warning ships transiting the Arabian Gulf and Western Indian Ocean to stay alert in case of increased UAV activity in the region.

The attacks seem to be in retaliation for Iran’s hijacking of the containership MSC Aries and its Sunday strike on Israel following a deadly attack against its consulate in Syria.

The latest tit-for-tat exchange between the two countries has added more tension to the continuing risk for shipping in the region since Iranian-backed Houthis of Yemen started attacking vessels over the war in Gaza.

More than 80 attacks on shipping by the Houthis have been reported since November, with one car carrier seized so far and the sinking of Belize-flagged bulk carrier Rubymar. 

The British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said that there are currently no indications that commercial maritime vessels are intended targets but advised shipmasters to report any suspicious activity and drone activity in the region.

Flight restrictions over Iranian airspace have also been put in place, and airlines are diverting to alternate airports. As tensions rise, the Australian foreign ministry has issued an advisory urging Australians in Israel to leave the country.

“Ship crews transiting the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz should be ready to respond to hails from Iranian forces and likely be seized if the ship is deemed to aid Israel, regardless of the validity of the seizure. The Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz is very likely to be in the same situation now as the Red Sea,” Metis Analytics noted in a recent update.

“Concerns have emerged regarding the potential impact of these attacks on trade routes, particularly those passing through the vital Strait of Hormuz, which handles almost 30% of the world oil trade. Any disruption to these routes could have a substantial effect on tanker freight,” warned Braemar in a recent tanker commentary.