The six-month period of 2025 has witnessed a combination of unprecedented disruptions that have significantly impeded the international shipping industry’s operations.
The latest includes this report by United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a voluntary reporting scheme (VRS) for the Indian Ocean, specifically Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea, which details escalating tensions in the Middle East with direct impact on mariners.
The cumulative impact of these events threatens to an escalation of military activity having a direct impact on mariners.
“UKMTO has been made aware of increased tensions within the region which could lead to an escalation of military activity having a direct impact on mariners,” UKMTO said in an advisory note on Wednesday.
UKMTO advised vessels to transit the Arabian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and Straits of Hormuz with caution and to report incidents or suspicious activity to UKMTO.
Earlier in 2025, UKMTO received corroborating reports from vessels experiencing GPS interference in the Strait of Hormuz.
The disruptions lasted several hours, affecting navigation systems and requiring vessels to rely on backup methods.
“Masters who experience disruption to electronic navigation systems (GPS / AIS / other PNT) anywhere within the UKMTO Voluntary Reporting Area (VRA) are requested to contact UKMTO watchkeepers,” UKMTO said in a statement on March 10.
Vessels in the northern Arabian Gulf have also received VHF radio challenges, including demands to alter course, Shipping Telegraph reported on January 27 citing UKMTO warnings on the matter.
UKMTO advised earlier in 2025 seafarers that vessels whether in or near to Iranian territorial waters may experience VHF hailing.
