CHINESE-LINKED vessels are increasingly broadcasting their Chinese identity to transit the Strait of Hormuz, although the limited traffic so far falls well short of evidence that such ships have been granted safe passage by Iran.

Lloyd’s List Intelligence data shows that six China-linked vessels transited the critical chokepoint between March 1 and March 8, accounting for about 10% of all traffic. The most recent two — both supramax bulkers of around 53,000 dwt — crossed during the weekend: KSL Hengyang (IMO: 9333931) and Sino Ocean (IMO: 9222338).

Both vessels are either owned by Chinese shipowners or managed by Chinese shipmanagement companies. Like Iron Maiden (IMO: 9691149), whose transit late last week was widely reported, both broadcast “Chinese owner and crew” messages via AIS while passing through the strait. 

The three bulkers, along with another bulker and a general cargo carrier, were all sailing out of the Middle East Gulf. Only one vessel — the 37,833 dwt general cargo carrier with container capacity, Saraca (IMO: 9300764) — was heading into the MEG.

The identity broadcast tactic is not new. It has been used previously by vessels transiting the Bab el Mandeb Strait under threat from Houthi attacks. Lloyd’s List has also identified several Turkish-linked vessels broadcasting their owner’s nationality while transiting Hormuz, suggesting the practice is being used beyond Chinese operators.

However, no vessels with no verifiable connection to China have been found using this tactic to claim Chinese identity, as some market rumours have suggested.

The new cases suggest more shipowners and operators are beginning to leverage their Chinese identity to transit Hormuz — at least to exit the high-risk war zone — following Iran’s recent statements that its actions target only US- and Israeli-linked vessels.

But the limited volume of transits so far does not confirm market speculation that Chinese ships have been granted an Iranian exemption to enter the strait. Notably, none of the six vessels are tankers — the ship type most critical for carrying China’s energy supplies from the Middle East.

China’s largest shipowners and leasing companies have remained cautious thus far.

“Lessors will not allow owners or charterers to send vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. War risk insurance is either very difficult to obtain or prohibitively expensive,” said a shipping executive at a leasing company backed by a big Chinese state-owned bank. “Our vessels are now not even allowed to transit the Red Sea.”

Many Chinese leasing companies are nominal owners, with their vessels effectively controlled by borrowers under typical sale-and-leaseback arrangements. This means their assets could still be exposed to Iranian or Houthi attacks if operated by foreign shipowners or charterers — as has happened before, when vessels leased to foreign container carriers were targeted by Houthis in the Red Sea.

For now, the handful of transits represents a tentative test of the waters rather than a return to normal operations.