Iran’s Hormuz authority claims control of waters south of UAE port

Iran has established a new maritime authority asserting control over waters extending south of the UAE port of Fujairah, a critical hub for global oil exports. This development directly impacts the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for international shipping. By claiming jurisdiction near Fujairah, which hosts the Habshan-Fujairah pipeline, Tehran is challenging existing maritime boundaries. Merchant vessels transiting these waters must remain vigilant as regional geopolitical tensions rise, potentially affecting transit schedules and insurance premiums for tankers operating in the Middle East.

These territorial claims raise significant concerns regarding compliance with UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea) and the IMO’s International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, specifically Part A, Section 14. Masters must ensure their Ship Security Plan (SSP) is updated to reflect heightened threat levels in the Gulf of Oman. Furthermore, adherence to SOLAS Chapter XI-2 is paramount, as vessels may face increased scrutiny from Iranian naval patrols. Compliance departments must monitor these developments to ensure that navigational safety and international maritime law are strictly upheld during transit.

Masters and navigating officers must exercise extreme caution when navigating near the Fujairah anchorage and the approaches to the Strait of Hormuz. It is essential to maintain a continuous bridge watch, verify AIS data accuracy, and report any suspicious activity to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) immediately. Officers should review their vessel’s security level and ensure that all crew members are briefed on contingency procedures to mitigate risks associated with these evolving maritime territorial claims.