Maritime analysts report vessels are going “dark” and falsifying identities as enforcement intensifies around Iranian ports.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Shipping activity in the Strait of Hormuz has shifted significantly in response to the U.S.-led blockade targeting Iranian-linked trade, with maritime intelligence firms reporting a rise in evasive tactics among vessels transiting the region.
According to reporting by The New York Times, analysts have observed an increase in ships disabling or manipulating their automatic identification systems (AIS), a technology used globally to track vessel identity, location, and route.
Ami Daniel, chief executive of maritime analytics firm Windward, said vessels have begun “going dark” or transmitting false identities within the past 24 hours, marking a shift after earlier operations in the region showed little disruption following late-February strikes involving Iran.
“Now, we are starting to see vessels going dark or using ‘zombie’ or random identification,” Daniel said, describing how ships are turning off transponders or adopting the identities of other vessels—a practice known as spoofing.
AIS systems function as a vessel’s digital identifier, transmitting a unique nine-digit code required under international maritime rules. Analysts say the current environment has led some operators to exploit vulnerabilities by altering or concealing that information to avoid detection.
Experts have compared the tactics to those used by vessels associated with Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” which have been used to bypass sanctions by obscuring ownership and origin. John C.K. Daly said similar methods are now appearing among ships operating near Iranian waters.
Windward reported that vessels linked to Iran have already adopted these measures, while others continue transiting the area despite restrictions, suggesting operators are testing the limits of enforcement. “The continued movement of similar vessel profiles indicates that operators are testing the practical limits of enforcement in real time,” the report said.
The rise of so-called “ghost” vessels has complicated monitoring efforts. Erik Bethel described the situation as a “contested information environment,” where incomplete or manipulated tracking data makes it more difficult to maintain situational awareness. “A blockade is only as strong as the intelligence behind the interdictions,” he said.
Despite these developments, U.S. officials maintain that enforcement remains effective. U.S. Central Command said multiple naval assets are positioned in the region, including in the Gulf of Oman, and reported that several merchant vessels have already complied with directives to turn back.
Analysts note that geography may limit the effectiveness of evasion strategies. The narrow confines of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil transit chokepoints, make it difficult for vessels to completely avoid detection.
“My expectation is that the U.S. Navy can sit out in the Gulf of Oman,” Daniel said. “I don’t think there’s a way to breach the blockade.”
As enforcement continues and shipping patterns evolve, the use of tracking manipulation highlights the challenges of maintaining oversight in a high-traffic and strategically sensitive maritime corridor.
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