GPS Jamming Disrupts 1,000 Ships, Cuts Strait of Hormuz Traffic 20%

Despite a ceasefire between Israel and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz remains a hotspot of security concerns for shipowners due to persistent GPS jamming that disrupts vessel navigation and communication. This electronic interference has reduced ship traffic by approximately 20%, causing significant congestion as many vessels restrict transit to daylight hours to mitigate collision risks. Recent reports indicate that between 970 and 1,100 ships daily have experienced GPS signal disruption, complicating navigation in one of the world's busiest maritime corridors and contributing to at least one reported collision. The interference is believed to originate near Iran's coast, particularly around the Port of Bandar Abbas, and follows escalating regional tensions, including U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and related threats from Iran to potentially close the strait. Shipping companies are increasingly concerned about both the risk of direct attacks and the operational hazards caused by lack of reliable communication and navigation systems, which has led to some vessels waiting outside the strait for safer conditions. Authorities such as the UK Maritime Trade Operations urge affected ships to report disruptions, while the situation remains fluid amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty in the region.