Persian Gulf Logs 1,514 Dark Tanker Crossings, Raising Catastrophic Spill Risk
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Aug 21
Persian Gulf Logs 1,514 Dark Tanker Crossings, Raising Catastrophic Spill Risk
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Aug 21
Summary
Kpler counted 1,514 tanker crossings in and out of the Persian Gulf with transponders switched off since March 1, sharply increasing collision and spill risks around the Strait of Hormuz.
Maritime experts say the surge stems from the widening Iran war, with ships going dark to dodge military strikes and drone attacks in one of the world's most congested waterways.
Three oil slicks are already spreading across the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, adding to fears that reduced visibility could trigger a major environmental disaster.
The pattern builds on earlier signs that many ships were already defying U.S. warnings by using Iranian routes or disabling AIS signals to avoid detection in the strait.