Iran Establishes New ‘Controlled Maritime Zone’ In Strait Of Hormuz

The Iranian authorities have officially established a new controlled maritime zone within the strategic Strait of Hormuz, mandating that all merchant vessels transiting the waterway must now coordinate directly with the Persian Gulf Security Administration (PGSA). This directive requires masters to secure formal authorization before entering the zone to ensure regional maritime security. Given the high volume of tanker traffic passing through this chokepoint daily, vessels must strictly adhere to these new reporting protocols to avoid potential detention or operational delays.

From a regulatory perspective, this mandate intersects with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) SOLAS Chapter V, specifically regarding safety of navigation and the obligation of masters to maintain effective watchkeeping. Compliance departments must ensure that Bridge Resource Management (BRM) procedures are updated to reflect these new PGSA communication requirements. Furthermore, adherence to the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code is critical, as failure to coordinate with local authorities could be flagged during Port State Control inspections or by classification societies during audits.

Masters and navigating officers are the primary personnel affected by these operational changes. These officers must ensure that the vessel’s passage plan is updated to include PGSA contact frequencies and authorization windows well before entering the Strait of Hormuz. Navigating officers should prioritize clear communication with the PGSA to prevent misunderstandings, while masters must verify that all required transit permits are logged in the ship’s official records to maintain full regulatory compliance during the voyage.