Feature Image: © Windward Maritime AI™ Platform
Navigation systems on more than 900 vessels voyaging the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf have suffered severe disruptions amidst rising tensions between Iran, Israel, and the US.
The Chamber of Shipping reported erratic vessel movements, with some ships appearing to be on land, sparking concerns over safety and operational uncertainty in one of the world’s most vital waterways.
Disruptions, triggered by “extreme jamming” of signals near Iran’s Bandar Abbas Port, have raised suspicions of interference being leveraged by Iran as a bargaining chip, given the economic importance of the Strait to global oil flows, according to the Chamber of Shipping.
According to maritime intelligence provider Windward, an average of 970 ships per day in mid-June 2025 experienced GPS jamming or spoofing in the region
Further data from Starboard Maritime Intelligence and Bloomberg showed ships sailing in implausibly straight lines, zigzagging, or appearing onshore.
“This is not a good place and not a good time to have navigation systems that can’t show exactly where you are. While a closing of the Strait seems unlikely, this kind of widespread jamming does cause uncertainty for anyone operating in the area,” commented Mark Douglas, a Maritime Domain Analyst at Starboard.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations echoed concerns last week, noting the interference is hampering vessels’ ability to report their positions. With navigation compromised, crews are increasingly relying on radars, compasses, and visual cues, raising the risk of collisions.
Despite the circumstances, the Joint Maritime Information Center waved off pre-emptive concerns of a potential blockade of the Strait, which is responsible for more than a quarter of global oil trade. Iran remains dependent on export revenue, particularly to China. Additionally, a closure would likely draw swift condemnation from other major producers and further inflame regional tensions.
READ: Strait of Hormuz under threat amid regional tensions
Bloomberg further reported that several tanker owners have halted deployments to the Persian Gulf, shipbrokers report, amid growing uncertainty in the region.
Forward freight agreements for the benchmark Middle East-to-Asia oil route in July, essentially wagers on future shipping costs, rose by roughly 12 per cent on 16 June.
The Iran-Israel conflict has reportedly triggered a sharp rise in shipping insurance costs for vessels navigating the Red Sea and Persian Gulf.
