UKMTO lowers Strait of Hormuz threat level to moderate

UKMTO lowers Strait of Hormuz threat level to moderate The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) has lowered its threat assessment for the Strait of Hormuz to "moderate", down from the "substantial" level it warned of two days earlier.

In its latest advisory, the agency said the southern route through the strategic waterway, which runs close to Oman, remains open for transit both day and night.

However, UKMTO cautioned that mariners should remain vigilant. "Mariners should be advised of the existence of mines and expect naval presence as clearance operations continue," the advisory said.

The agency also "strongly" recommended that vessels use the Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping system, a Nato-developed mechanism designed to coordinate between military operations and commercial shipping.