More than 60 per cent ships heading to India from the Persian Gulf are temporarily disappearing from public tracking systems while passing through one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints,
the Strait of Hormuz . However, they are not vanishing. They are deliberately switching off or restricting their public location broadcasts amid heightened security concerns linked to tensions involving Iran.
The move has raised concerns over India’s energy security and supply chains because nearly half of India’s crude oil imports and a significant share of its LNG and LPG cargoes pass through the narrow waterway.
Why Are Ships ‘Going Dark’?
The phrase “going dark” refers to vessels disabling or limiting their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals.
AIS is a tracking system that continuously broadcasts a ship’s identity, location, speed and destination. It helps avoid collisions and allows authorities, ports and commercial tracking platforms to monitor vessel movements. However, in conflict zones, broadcasting a ship’s exact location can become a security risk.
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According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, nearly 62 per cent of India-bound tankers and cargo vessels have reduced or switched off their public AIS transmissions while transiting the Strait of Hormuz due to fears of attacks or interference.
Why Now?
The latest precaution comes amid tensions involving Iran and concerns over maritime security in the Gulf.
Shipping companies fear that vessels openly broadcasting their positions could become easier to identify or target. As a result, many operators have chosen to minimise their digital footprint while crossing the narrow strait.
Industry experts quoted by NDTV said the practice is now becoming a preferred safety measure for commercial shipping in the region.
The ships continue their voyage and remain in contact with naval authorities, coastal states and shipping companies through secure communication channels. The AIS blackout mainly affects publicly available tracking services that ordinary users and commercial websites rely on.
In other words, the ships become harder for the public, and potentially hostile actors, to track, but they are not “lost”.
Why The Strait Of Hormuz Is Important
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints. Barely 30-40 kilometres wide at its narrowest point, it connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea.
Around 20 per cent of global oil consumption passes through the strait every day, making it vital for the world’s energy trade.
For India, its importance is even greater because much of the country’s crude oil, LNG and LPG imports from countries such as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE transit through Hormuz.
Will This Affect India’s Fuel Supply?
For now, there is no immediate disruption.
Indian authorities have said ships continue to move through the corridor, albeit with additional precautions.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, multiple India-bound vessels have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz in recent days despite the heightened tensions. Shipping ministry officials have also indicated that dozens of India-bound ships have already transited the strait, while others are awaiting safe passage.
Marine Insight, which tracks ship movements, said on Monday that nine India- and foreign-flagged ships had crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the past 72 hours, with seven carrying cargo bound for India. Sources told The Times of India that another 15 ships linked to India are waiting in the Persian Gulf for safe passage through the strait, including 10 India-flagged vessels. Four of the waiting ships are carrying fertilisers, while one is transporting energy cargo.
