BIMCO has published new industry guidance on the safe management of vessel transits through the Strait of Hormuz.
The guidance has been developed with several maritime organisations, including the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) and the Oil Companies International Marine Forum (OCIMF).
The document is intended to support voyage-specific threat and risk assessments for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz. It outlines current threats and provides guidance for shipowners, operators, charterers, masters and crews.
The guidance covers several operational areas, including vessel movement, anchoring and waiting positions, congestion, communications, routing and potential legal or sanctions exposure.
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According to the document, vessels required to wait at anchor or drift should consider movement where it is safe to do so.
The guidance states: “Where vessels are required to wait at anchor or drift, consider maintaining periodic movement […] to complicate targeting, particularly where the vessel, operator, flag or cargo may be of interest to hostile actors.”
The document also warns of potential congestion risks if a large number of vessels seek to transit the Strait of Hormuz at the same time. It notes that extreme congestion could increase the risk of collision, create pressure on vessel traffic services and restrict the availability of tugs, pilots and salvage assets.
The guidance also refers to legal and sanctions-related considerations linked to any payments demanded for transit or port services.
It states: “Payments demanded for transit or port services may create sanctions or secondary-sanctions risk for the vessel, operator, and charterers.”
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BIMCO said the guidance has been issued to assist companies and crews in making informed operational decisions when transiting the area.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s key maritime chokepoints, linking the Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and wider international shipping routes.
For more information:
BIMCO – https://www.bimco.org/
