Maritime security alert raised to critical level in Strait of Hormuz

The EOS Risk Group has elevated the security threat level for the Strait of Hormuz to 5/5, the highest possible, advising companies to suspend all passages until further notice. This decision follows a series of maritime attacks that began on February 28, impacting at least 13 commercial vessels. On March 6, the UAE-flagged tugboat Mussafah 2 was struck by a projectile in the strait, reportedly resulting in the deaths of all eight crew members; the vessel had been attempting to assist the container ship Safeen Prestige. Security risk in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and regional ports remains at a high level of 4/5. Tensions have intensified following military strikes involving the US, Israel, and Iran, leading Iran to block the vital Strait of Hormuz, which handles approximately 20% of global oil shipments. Officials report that approximately 160 Greek-owned vessels and 36 Indian-flagged ships are currently in the affected region, with an estimated 23,000 Indian sailors trapped. Greece's Ministry of Maritime Affairs is monitoring the situation, noting that 32 ships flying the Greek flag remain in the area.