Signalling a shift in global shipping dynamics, commercial vessels are quietly charting a new course through the Strait of Hormuz, one that bypasses both the traditional international route and the corridor recently established by Iran.
AIS tracking and remote sensing data analysed by NDTV Datafy reveal that at least four large ships, including oil tankers, LNG carriers, and a cargo vessel, have opted for this alternative passage. The route stays entirely within Oman's territorial waters, offering a potentially safer detour amid heightened regional tensions.
Among the vessels were two Very Large Crude Carriers, the Marshall Islands flagged Habrut and Dhalkut laden with Saudi and Emirati crude. Both switched off their transponders near the Musandam Peninsula before reappearing 350 km off Muscat. The Panama-flagged Sohar LNG carrier and an Indian-flagged cargo ship, MSV Quba MNV 2183, also followed the path.
While the Sohar's load status remains unclear, analysts say the move reflects growing caution among shippers. With elections and geopolitical strains intensifying across the region, Oman's waters may now serve as a discreet buffer for vessels seeking to avoid confrontation.
The development underscores how maritime routes are adapting in real time to shifting security realities in one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints.