The First Call When Ships Are Attacked... UK Navy Agency in Spotlight Amid Iran War

Ongoing Unrest in the Strait of Hormuz Due to the Iran War
UK Maritime Monitoring Agency UKMTO Gains Attention
Providing Information to Seafarers While Maintaining Neutrality

Amid ongoing turmoil in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the Iran war, reports have highlighted the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Organization (UKMTO), a maritime monitoring agency operated by the British Royal Navy, which is gaining attention as the "119 of the Strait of Hormuz."

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a maritime monitoring organization operated by the British Navy, is attracting attention as the "119 of the Strait of Hormuz." Photo by AP Yonhap News

According to Yonhap News Agency, on the 28th (local time), The New York Times reported that "when a vessel is attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, the first place the distress signal reaches is a military base in Portsmouth, a naval city in southern England, thousands of kilometers away," shedding light on the activities of UKMTO.

UKMTO was established in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) 25 years ago as part of the UK's response measures following the September 11 attacks in 2001, and has since shifted its focus to supporting anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. The organization states that it "helps protect critical trade routes by providing verified security information to seafarers, shipping companies, and local authorities," and that "our way is to ensure all seafarers and maritime trade clients receive information and reassurance."

The presence of this agency has grown since the outbreak of the Iran war in February. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital energy hub through which about 20% of global maritime oil shipments pass, and it is emerging as an essential institution for vessels and shipping companies navigating from the Gulf region (Persian Gulf) to the Red Sea and Indian Ocean. The agency is located inside a military base atop a hill overlooking Portsmouth Harbor, where a tall transmission tower stands and offices are equipped with large screens displaying digital maps and ship movements. The team of 18 operates around the clock, 24 hours a day.

Operations are based on the voluntary provision of information by vessels. When ships report abnormal situations via satellite phone or email, the agency contacts the most appropriate support entity among the local coast guard, military, or relevant authorities. Although it is led by the British Royal Navy, it maintains neutrality and collects information regardless of diplomatic relations between the relevant country and the UK. Incident reports and maritime traffic updates are shared with the shipping industry, governments, and the public through its website and social media channels.

Ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

UKMTO Operations Officer Lieutenant Commander Joanna Black cited emergency calls from seafarers as the most challenging moments. Lieutenant Commander Black said, "The most distressing thing is receiving calls from seafarers who have just been attacked," adding, "Ships are sometimes hit by missiles or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and there are frequent cases of small arms fire targeting the bridge or engine room. It's a terrifying ordeal for the crew."

The impact of the Iran war is also evident in the numbers. Prior to the war, 130 to 150 vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz each day, but that number has now dropped to 8 to 10 per day. Since the outbreak of the war, 41 incidents and accidents have been reported in the region, 26 of which were major incidents such as fires or flooding caused by direct attacks on vessels. However, most of these were concentrated in the early stages of the war.

In these days of uneasy ceasefire, there have been more frequent radio calls to vessels and attempts at forced boarding, and there are intermittent reports of crew members being detained. Lieutenant Commander Black stated, "There have not yet been any reports from ships regarding mines," but also noted, "the shipping industry has become extremely cautious due to concerns about the possibility of mines."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.