Ships advised to transit southern strait of Hormuz with navigation systems on : JMIC

OMAN : Ships can use the southern route through the Strait of Hormuz at any time of day or night with their tracking systems switched on, according to a new advisory from the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC), a maritime information body that works with naval and commercial shipping agencies.

JMIC said vessels do not need to coordinate with the US Navy’s NCAGS unit when using the southern coastal route along Oman, although it still encourages operators to share information for safer passage.

Ships are advised to keep AIS transponders on, use radar, maintain running lights, and continue normal radio communication. The guidance is different from earlier US military advice, which had suggested ships travel “dark” with their AIS switched off and move mainly at night.