'China owned', 'Vsl no link Israel': Vessels near Hormuz transmit unusual messages to avoid attacks amid ceasefire uncertainty

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Ships transiting near the Strait of Hormuz have begun broadcasting unusual messages about their nationality in an apparent effort to avoid being targeted, as uncertainty continues to cloud the ceasefire between Iran and Israel read more
An aerial view of the Iranian shores and the island of Qeshm in the strait of Hormuz, on December 10, 2023. Reuters File
Ships transiting near the Strait of Hormuz have begun broadcasting unusual messages about their nationality in an apparent effort to avoid being targeted, as uncertainty continues to cloud the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, according to a Reuters report, citing maritime risk analytics firm Windward and ship tracking data on Thursday.
According to the report, citing Windward, the practice began after hostilities erupted earlier this month between Iran and Israel, prompting US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.
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Though a ceasefire was brokered by US President Donald Trump after 12 days of conflict, maritime security threats remain high in the region.
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) confirmed that the overall risk to vessels in the area remains elevated despite the truce.
'The perception among shipowners is that due to the convoluted nature of shipping it's hard to know or ascertain clearly a chain of ownership to nationalities which may be under higher threat in shipping, namely the UK, US and Israel,' Reuters quoted Ami Daniel, chief executive officer of Windward, as saying.
Between June 12 and 24, as many as 55 vessels transmitted 101 unusual messages while sailing through the Gulf and Red Sea, according to Reuters, citing Windward.
These messages included identifiers such as 'China owned' and 'Russian crude,' in an apparent effort to deter attacks by signaling affiliation with countries perceived as less likely to be targeted than Western nations.
Commercial maritime traffic surged by 30% on June 24, the day after a ceasefire was announced, reported Reuters, citing the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC).
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most vital energy corridors, with around 20% of global oil and fuel consumption passing through its narrow waters.
Under normal circumstances, vessels in the region typically broadcast their destinations or use standard signals such as 'For Orders.'
In high-risk areas, messages like 'Armed Guards on Board' are occasionally transmitted to deter piracy or potential attacks.
However, according to Daniel from maritime analytics firm Windward, the appearance of unusual messages significantly increased after June 12. Prior to that date, such messages were mostly confined to the Red Sea, which had been a hotspot for attacks by Houthi rebels following the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war.
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'I've never seen it in the Persian Gulf,' Reuters quoted Daniel as saying.
A Panama-flagged container ship, Yuan Xiang Fa Zhan, en route to Pakistan, was broadcasting the message 'PKKHI all Chinese' on Thursday as it transited the Strait of Hormuz, according to vessel tracking data from LSEG.
Meanwhile, the China-flagged supertanker Yuan Yang Hu, carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia to China, was transmitting 'Chinese ship' while crossing the strait. Once it cleared the waterway, the signal changed to 'CN NBG,' referencing the Port of Ningbo-Zhoushan.
In the Red Sea, the Singapore-flagged container ship Kota Cabar broadcast the message 'Vsl no link Israel' as it navigated the high-risk area.
The Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) also issued a warning about electronic interference affecting the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) in the region. Disruptions to GNSS can cause ships to veer off course, heightening the risk of collisions or grounding.
With inputs from agencies