Since the start of the Iran-U.S. conflict, the Strait of Hormuz has become a center of discussion, mostly because it controls nearly 20% of oil exports. So, amidst the conflict, there is some good news that comes here and there, including very recently. Around 8 vessels, including 6 MSC ships that were stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, managed to escape by turning off their AIS transponders.
Read More: US Enforces Maritime Blockade on Iranian Ports: 9 Vessels Turned Back
The Automatic Identification System, or AIS, is a transponder that is used by the port’s vessel traffic services to manage marine traffic. By switching off AIS transponders, the ship was able to escape from the Strait of Hormuz without being detected by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard. Once out safely, they resumed their AIS transmission in the Arabian Sea.
Among the ships that escaped was MSC Clara, a 19,224 TEU vessel, one of the largest vessels that have been traded in the Persian Gulf since the conflict broke out on 28 February. Apart from this, there were ships that escaped:
- 16,000 TEU MSC Grace
- 13,102 TEU MSC Margaret
- 139200 TEUMSC Mandeline
- 11,660 TEU MSC Francisca
- 6,673 TEU EpaMinondas
- Apollo Eastern’s 1030 TEU Bahage Laxmi
- AD Ports Group, 2702 TEU SSF Valence
After resuming their AIS transponders in the Arabian Sea, they appear to be approaching India’s West Coast as per several vessel tracking data, including Marine Traffic and Sea Searcher.