Refers to: Ship-owners, Operators, Masters and Managers of PHRS certified vessels

Effective Date:  Immediate

Dear All,

This Newsletter aims to inform all concerned parties about the current security situation in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden.

This information has been provided by both Sierra Leone and Belize Flag Administrations.

Sierra Leone Maritime Administrations

Maritime Circular No.58 has been issued by Sierra Leone Maritime Administration regarding the raise of Ship Security Level to level 3 for all vessels trading within the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman.

For the full text please follow the link below.

• Maritime Circular No.58

International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize

Marine Safety Advisory No.043 (26 )has been issued by the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize following the escalation of military hostilities between the United States and Israel, and the Islamic Republic of Iran (Operation "Epic Fury") which commenced on February 28, 2026. These advisory aims to inform all Belize-flagged vessels of the critical security risks currently present in the region.

Situation Overview

The security environment in the Middle East has degraded to a state of active conflict. Significant developments including:

• High-level strikes within Iran have triggered immediate retaliatory missile and drone attacks across the region, including targets in Israel, UAE (Jebel Ali), Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.

• US Naval Forces Central Command (CENTCOM) has established a wide Maritime Warning Zone encompassing the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman, and North Arabian Sea. The US Navy has officially stated it cannot guarantee the safety of neutral commercial shipping within this zone.
• While the Strait of Hormuz Status not officially closed by international decree, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued VHF broadcasts claiming the Strait is closed resulting in congestion is reported as vessels have dropped anchor to avoid transit.
• Recent reports confirm multiple tankers have been struck by projectiles or drones off the Gulf coast and Oman, resulting in vessel damage and seafarer fatalities.

For the full text please follow the link below.

• Marine Safety Advisory No.043 (26)

For any questions or further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us at technical@phrs.gr, SLMARAD at info@slmarad.com.

If you have any security incidents or notice any suspicious activity, you must report it immediately to the Belize Administration at security@immarbe.com.