Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Apr 10: The Indian Navy has reported a noticeable shift in cargo vessel movement patterns in the Persian Gulf, with some ships transiting through a controlled corridor near Larak Island amid escalating regional tensions.

According to the Navy’s Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR), the altered routing suggests that certain vessels may be receiving “facilitated passage” through diplomatic coordination, while deliberately staying outside established maritime traffic lanes.

The advisory highlighted that maritime security across the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman remains critical, with the region witnessing a structured and evolving threat environment alongside increasingly controlled transit conditions.

Reports indicate that Iran has again restricted cargo vessel movement through the Strait of Hormuz, less than 24 hours after agreeing to a ceasefire arrangement with the United States.

The Navy noted that vessel traffic continues at “historically suppressed levels,” with movements described as limited and irregular. A portion of marine traffic is also reportedly untracked or operating under constraints on Automatic Identification System (AIS), complicating real-time maritime monitoring.

The advisory further pointed to emerging operational patterns, including ships embedding country-linked identifiers in their destination fields — a tactic assessed as a deliberate effort to reduce perceived threats while navigating the volatile region.

The IFC-IOR has also flagged a “multi-layered threat environment,” involving risks from drone attacks, as well as falling debris from intercepted missiles, posing dangers to vessels and crew.

Additionally, persistent GPS interference and AIS manipulation across key transit routes are undermining navigational reliability and obscuring maritime situational awareness.

The cumulative impact of these developments continues to strain global energy supply chains, disrupt shipping operations and maintain elevated war-risk premiums.

The Indian Navy has urged shipping companies and crews to remain vigilant and strictly adhere to safety protocols while operating in the conflict-affected region.