Norway has barred its merchant fleet from entering the Strait of Hormuz, escalating its response to mounting attacks on commercial vessels as tensions intensify in the widening confrontation between the United States and Iran.
In a notice issued on Thursday, the Norwegian Maritime Authority said Norwegian-flagged ships are no longer permitted to enter the Persian Gulf through the strategic waterway until further notice, citing a sharply deteriorating security environment and an increasing number of strikes on civilian shipping.
The decision marks a significant shift from earlier guidance, under which the authority had strongly advised vessels to avoid the area but stopped short of imposing a ban. Director General of Shipping and Navigation Alf-Tore Sørheim said the risk had now reached a level that required firmer action.
“We are now moving from a strong recommendation regarding traffic in the area to a prohibition on entering the Strait of Hormuz,” Sørheim said.
Ships already operating inside the Gulf are not being ordered to leave immediately. Instead, vessel operators will continue to assess whether remaining in the region or attempting to depart poses the lower security risk.
The maritime authority warned that military operations across the region remain active and the threat level is considered critical, meaning attacks on merchant vessels are considered highly likely. The assessment draws on recent advisories from the Joint Maritime Information Center.
Officials also reported widespread electronic interference across the Arabian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, including GPS and automatic identification system spoofing as well as intermittent disruptions affecting shipboard communications and radar.
The directive comes amid a surge in incidents involving commercial vessels in the region, including attacks on ships attempting to leave the Gulf, highlighting the growing dangers facing civilian operators.
“This is an unacceptable and serious assault on civilian shipping,” Sørheim said, adding that Norwegian authorities remain in close contact with shipping companies whose vessels are operating in the area.
Norway’s move could carry wider implications for global trade given the size of its merchant fleet and the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints through which roughly a fifth of global oil supplies normally pass.
The ban will remain in place indefinitely as authorities continue to monitor developments and assess the risks to maritime traffic in the region.