Key Points:
- The alert was released by the National Hydrographic Office under NAVAREA IX coordination.
- Previous guidance suggested safer routing closer to Oman’s coastline to avoid risk zones.
- Shipping recovery is expected to be gradual as risk assessments continue.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has issued a fresh navigational advisory for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz after reports of a confirmed naval mine in the area, the country’s hydrographic authorities said, as reported by Anadolu Agency.
Pakistan’s National Hydrographic Office, which manages NAVAREA IX maritime warnings, instructed ships to proceed with heightened caution following confirmation of the hazard in one of the world’s most strategic shipping lanes.
The advisory, issued under the international NAVAREA warning system, stressed that all vessels passing through the region should adopt maximum safety measures while navigating the affected waters.
Anadolu Agency reported that the warning comes at a sensitive time, as a recent agreement between the United States and Iran has raised expectations for a gradual normalisation of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Despite diplomatic progress, maritime risk assessments remain cautious. Earlier guidance from the Joint Maritime Information Center had recommended that vessels use routes closer to Oman’s coastline to reduce exposure to potential mine threats.
Hydrographer of Pakistan, which oversees NAVAREA IX coordination, issues such alerts in line with International Maritime Organization protocols and the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention, Anadolu Agency added.
Industry observers expect shipping movement through the strait to recover gradually as insurers, operators, and maritime security bodies continue evaluating the evolving situation.
