SHIPPING security executives and industry were left scrambling for details on Monday after US President Donald Trump announced that US will begin to “guide” stranded ships out of the Strait of Hormuz.

No pre-planning with industry had occurred at the point that Trump announced via social media on Sunday that “Project Freedom” would guide ships trapped in the Middle East Gulf “safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business.” 

By Monday an “enhanced security area” had been established by the US to support transits, according to a notice from the Joint Maritime Information Centre, which advised vessels to consider crossing the waterway through Omani waters. However, JMIC, which monitors and analyses security threats in the area, also did not elaborate on the plan.

Chat groups used by company security officials with vessels trapped in the MEG confirmed that companies had been caught offguard by the announcement.

By Monday morning CSOs were still asking for guidance.

According to a memo sent to CSOs from tanker industry organisation Intertanko on Monday, the US navy has indicated that it will provide overwatch from ships and air assets.

While details are still scant, it is understood that the US will set the conditions for heightened security to enable transits via Omani territorial waters.

The Omani coastguard will provide traffic control and ships have been advised to maintain contact with the Omani coast guard on VHF Channel 16.

The primary aim is for ships to exit the MEG, however it is not yet clear which ships will be prioritised under the plan.

“For the good of Iran, the Middle East, and the United States, we have told these Countries that we will guide their Ships safely out of these restricted Waterways, so that they can freely and ably get on with their business,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

Industry security officials told Lloyd’s list on Monday morning that much of the detail of the US plan remained worryingly unclear.

Chief among the concerns was whether the US would intervene in the event of an Iranian response.

Iran’s military warned US forces on Monday not to enter the Strait of Hormuz. The unified command of Iran’s armed forces said they would “respond harshly” to any threat, advising commercial ships and oil tankers to refrain from any movement in the absence of coordination with Iran’s military.

“We have repeatedly said the security of the Strait of Hormuz is in our hands and that the safe passage of vessels needs to be coordinated with the armed forces,” Ali Abdollahi, the head of the forces’ unified command said in the statement.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations said late on Sunday, shortly after Trump’s announcement, that a tanker had reported being hit by unknown projectiles off the coast of Fujairah.

While it has not been confirmed, Lloyd’s List understands the vessel was Barakah (IMO: 9902615), a VLCC owned by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

Adnoc last week had informed some customers that it would be loading cargoes via ship-to-ship transfers off Fujairah imminently. Adnoc had recently started shuttling tankers through the Strait of Hormuz on a limited basis.

US military support to Project Freedom will include guided-missile destroyers, more than 100 land- and sea-based aircraft, multi-domain unmanned platforms, and about 15,000 service members, US Central Command said.

The initial response from industry officials, however remained cautious.

BIMCO chief safety and security officer Jakob Larsen said no formalised details or guidance to the shipping industry regarding “Project Freedom” have been announced at this point.

“Without consent from Iran to let commercial ships transit safely through the Strait of Hormuz, it is currently not clear whether the Iranian threat to ships can be degraded or suppressed,” he said.

In view of Iranian threats against any ship attempting to transit the strait without coordination with Iran's military, there is a risk of hostilities breaking out again if “Project Freedom” goes ahead, Larsen warned.

He added that it remains unclear whether the US initiative is sustainable in the longer run or whether it will be a limited operation to get some of the trapped ships out.

“The overall security situation for the shipping industry is currently unchanged, and our advice is for all shipowners to continue carrying out thorough risk assessments,” Larsen said.