Concerns Rise Over 'Zombie Ships' Navigating the Strait of Hormuz

Introduction to the Issue

A tanker that should have been decommissioned has recently traversed one of the most critical maritime chokepoints in the world, coinciding with escalating tensions in the Middle East. This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the emergence of 'zombie ships' in the Strait of Hormuz. Ship-tracking information revealed that a vessel named Nabiin exited the Persian Gulf and entered the Gulf of Oman after passing through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday. However, there’s a twist: records show that the Aframax tanker Nabiin, constructed in 2002, was dismantled in Bangladesh nearly five years ago. This marks the second occurrence of such a situation in a short span, as another ship, identified as the LNG carrier Jamal, which was reportedly dismantled at an Indian shipbreaking yard last year, was also tracked crossing Hormuz last week, as reported by Bloomberg.

Understanding 'Ghost' Ships

What Are These 'Ghost' Vessels And Where Are They Going?

These so-called ghost or zombie ships are vessels that appear to take on the identities of scrapped or inactive ships, transmitting false AIS (Automatic Identification System) signals or operating under fictitious flags or ownership structures. Essentially, they are real vessels masquerading as defunct identities to obscure their true nature and cargo.

The ship masquerading as Nabiin reportedly entered the Persian Gulf just hours before the outbreak of conflict, with ship-tracking data indicating Iraq’s Khor Al Zubair as its intended destination. It remained in the gulf until its exit, although its precise movements remain uncertain due to significant electronic interference affecting ship transmission signals. After departing the gulf on Sunday, it indicated being fully loaded based on draft readings, yet lacked a clear destination.

This situation unfolds as US President Donald Trump has issued a two-day ultimatum to Iran to reopen the strait or face potential military action against its power plants. In response, Tehran has threatened to completely close the Strait of Hormuz if such attacks occur.

Amid these rising tensions, the cases of Nabiin and Jamal illustrate the lengths to which shipowners are willing to go to transport goods through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked since the escalation of conflict in the region in late February. So far, many vessels that have successfully navigated through seem to have connections to Iran or are believed to have received permission from Tehran. Others are resorting to even riskier measures, such as disabling their tracking systems, complicating efforts for authorities to monitor their movements.