Lately, the Strait of Hormuz has been a bit “quiet”—not because there are no ships, but because they’ve all gone “invisible.”

On the 7th, a British maritime analysis firm called Winward released a report stating that from April 19 to May 3, the number of “stealth ships” in the area had increased nearly sixfold. What are “stealth ships”? They are merchant vessels that have turned off their Automatic Identification System (AIS); they are visible to satellites but not to conventional surveillance.

On May 5, satellite imagery captured 167 large vessels in the strait, 146 of which had their AIS turned off. On May 7, near Larak Island, another nine vessels over 150 meters in length—including oil tankers, container ships, and chemical tankers—were spotted sailing in “silent” mode. Shipping hasn’t stopped; it’s just that everyone has gone “invisible.”

So why turn off the system? Some analysts believe that, on the one hand, the U.S. and Iran are still locked in a maritime standoff, and neither side wants to be targeted; on the other hand, fearing electronic jamming or even being locked onto and attacked, shipowners simply “play dumb” to ensure their safety.

On May 6, satellite imagery also captured 39 Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps speedboats moving westward in formation. The appearance of such a large speedboat formation in the Strait, where visibility is increasingly poor, may indicate an attempt to tighten control.

In this environment where “visible ships are becoming fewer while invisible risks are mounting,” it is all the more important to take the following precautions:

Don’t take chances; prioritize detours

If your cargo is not time-sensitive, try to avoid the Strait of Hormuz route, even if it costs more or takes a few extra days. After all, the uncertainty there is too high; if your vessel is inspected, intercepted, or misidentified, the losses will far exceed the difference in freight costs.

Choose your shipping company carefully

Prioritize carriers with regional experience and the ability to coordinate local resources. Some vessels may be able to pass through, but if they haven’t been properly registered, the risks are just as high.

Ensure adequate insurance coverage

Don’t skimp on war risks or political risk riders. Insurance companies are becoming increasingly strict in their assessments of this region, and last-minute coverage may not be available in time.

Maintain Transparency

A turned-off AIS does not mean the vessel has stopped; it also means real-time tracking is unavailable. We recommend staying in constant communication with your freight forwarder or shipowner to regularly confirm the vessel’s location and status—don’t rely solely on the system.

Safety is more important than speed, and stability is more critical than cost. At this stage, safeguarding your cargo and maintaining delivery schedules is far more valuable than trying to save a couple of days.