Industry releases Strait of Hormuz navigational guidance

Hundreds of vessels remain unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz and, in the event of a return to more normal navigation conditions, the movement of all those vessels within the Strait could represent a considerable navigational hazard. To avoid such an issue, the industry organisations of ICS, BIMCO, INTERCARGO, INTERTANKO, IMCA, and OCIMF have worked together to produce guidance aimed at assisting ships in transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The document, published this week, complements the Best Management Practices Maritime Security (BMP MS) and is intended to support voyage-specific threat and risk assessment, facilitating safe shipboard and office planning.

The safety of life, safe navigation and protection of environment remain the primary considerations, with the Master retaining overriding authority. Rather than a rigid go/no-go, a structured decision process has been developed to aid companies and Masters in making their informed transit decision, taking into account the likely threat scenario which can then be incorporated into the risk assessment for each ship.

This guidance is one of many such tools, and any planned transit must take into account all available information sources and resources. It should also be clearly emphasised, however, that the final decision rests with the crew and Master of the ship.

‘Industry Guidance on the Safe Management of Vessel Transit through the Strait of Hormuz’ is available on the BIMCO website at:

https://www.bimco.org/news-insights/bimco-news/2026/05/20-hormuz-guidance/