How the US Used Secret Ship-to-Ship Transfers to Bypass Hormuz Blockade

As the Middle East crisis choked one of the world’s most vital energy arteries, the United States deployed a covert strategy to prevent a total global energy collapse. By adopting tactics similar to those used for sanctions evasion, the US military has orchestrated a massive offshore transfer operation to keep Gulf crude moving despite Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

The "Shadow" Logistics: Ship-to-Ship Transfers

To circumvent the blockade, the US military implemented a sophisticated ship-to-ship (STS) transfer system. Rather than using traditional naval escorts, the US military focused on aerial surveillance, compliance monitoring, and logistical oversight.

The operation, which began in early May, utilizes a "hub-and-spoke" model. Smaller tankers navigate the high-risk Strait of Hormuz before meeting much larger Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) at designated offshore hubs. These primary transfer points are located at Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates and near the port of Sohar in Oman. Once the smaller vessels pull alongside the VLCCs, the oil transfer process takes anywhere from 24 to 40 hours to complete.

Operational Stealth and Military Oversight

To avoid detection and mitigate the risk of Iranian interference, the vessels follow strict protocols designed for stealth. Tankers stagger their departures to maintain a distance of 3,000 to 4,000 metres from one another. During transit, ships are reportedly required to switch off their transponders and dim their lights to remain inconspicuous.

The US Navy’s Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping office in Bahrain manages the process. Shipping companies must undergo rigorous compliance checks before being assigned specific transit slots. This system has involved at least 116 vessels since the operation commenced. At its peak on June 11, satellite imagery revealed 17 pairs of ships conducting simultaneous transfers across the two hubs.

Ukubwa wa Athari na Hatari za Nishati Duniani

Ingawa operesheni hiyo ni kubwa kwa ukubwa wake, bado ni sehemu ndogo tu ya kiasi cha kawaida. Reuters inakadiria kuwa angalau barili milioni 90 za mafuta ghafi na bidhaa za petroli zimepitishwa kupitia mtandao huu wa baharini tangu mapema Mei. Ingawa ni kiasi kikubwa, hii ni sehemu ndogo ya takriban barili milioni 20 ambazo kwa kawaida hupita katika Bonge la Hormuz kila siku.

Usumbufu katika Bonge hilo—ambalo kwa kawaida hubeba sehemu ya tano ya matumizi ya mafuta duniani—umesababisha moja ya mshtuko mkubwa zaidi wa usambazaji wa nishati katika historia, ukichochea mfumuko wa bei duniani. Aidha, asili ya siri ya uhamishaji huu inaongeza hatari za baharini. Maafisa wa sekta wameonya kuwa kusafiri kwa kasi kubwa gizani bila taa kunaongeza kwa kiasi kikubwa uwezekano wa vyombo vya maji kugongana.

Mambo Muhimu ya Kuzingatia

• Mbinu za Siri: Jeshi la Marekani lilitumia uhamishaji wa meli kwenda meli nyingine na ufuatiliaji wa anga—badala ya ulinzi wa kijeshi wa majini—ili kukwepa vizuizi vya Iran katika Bonge la Hormuz.
• Kiasi Kikubwa: Inakadiriwa kuwa angalau barili milioni 90 za mafuta zimepitishwa kupitia mtandao huu wa baharini kupitia vituo vya Fujairah na Sohar tangu mapema Mei.
• Hatari za Kioperesheni: Utegemezi wa safari za "giza" (kuzima transponda na taa) ili kuepuka kugundulika umeongeza hatari ya vyombo vya maji kugongana katika Ghuba ya Oman.