A Pakistani tanker earlier this week became the latest vessel to sail out through the Strait of Hormuz by hewing closely to the Iranian coast, suggesting an approved route that points to Tehran\u2019s tightening grip on the narrow waterway \u2014 even as the US seeks to assert control.<\/p>\n
The Pakistani-flagged Karachi \u2014 which openly signaled it was transiting through the chokepoint \u2014 sailed through a narrow gap between the two Iranian islands of Larak and Qeshm on Sunday, before tracking the coast into the Gulf of Oman, according to vessel-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. Two bulk carriers which had called at Iranian ports took the same route on Monday morning, broadcasting their whereabouts even as other ships prefer to switch off transponders for safety.<\/p>\n
In the early hours of Saturday two India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tankers also exited the strait, while a Gambia-flagged general cargo ship has just left Hormuz on Tuesday. Sporadic signals placed the three vessels near Larak, but the full route could not be determined because of electronic interference that scrambles information coming from vessels in the region.<\/p>\n
If the route continues to be used successfully, it could mean a traffic control system is being imposed by Iran, said Harrison Pr\u00e9tat, deputy director and fellow with the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. That could mean Tehran attacks vessels or uses mines on the traditional route \u2014 while maintaining a free channel for friendly tankers on the other side.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe use of this route so far appears to be tied to Iran\u2019s apparent approval of specific ships transiting the strait, which makes some sense, as this area would be easier for Iranian authorities to control,\u201d Pr\u00e9tat said.<\/p>\n
Since US and Israeli attacks began a little over two weeks ago, Iran has hit several ships in and around the strait, and all but closed the waterway. That has left vessels stuck inside the Persian Gulf and others unable to enter \u2014 an unprecedented degree of disruption to the energy trade that has created shortages and price spikes across Asia and beyond.<\/p>\n
The continued upheaval has also prompted some countries to ask Tehran for safe passage, to secure at least a trickle of cargoes. Indian and Turkish officials are among those who have reported receiving a green light for vessels. Pakistan has not commented on the circumstances around its ship\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis creates a system in which the Strait is not formally closed, yet transit increasingly depends on political understandings with Tehran,\u201d JPMorgan Chase & Co. analysts including Natasha Kaneva said in a note.<\/p>\n
Read more: US $20B Reinsurance Plan Unlikely to Restart Gulf Shipping Without Liability Cover<\/a><\/p>\n