Why Are India-Bound Ships Going 'Dark' In Strait Of Hormuz? Will It Affect Country's Oil Supply?

Published 30 June 2026 · india

Why Are India-Bound Ships Going 'Dark' In Strait Of Hormuz? Will It Affect Country's Oil Supply? Written By, Last Updated: June 30, 2026, 13:04 IST

Why Are India-Bound Ships Going 'Dark' In Strait Of Hormuz? Will It Affect Country's Oil Supply? Written By, Last Updated: June 30, 2026, 13:04 IST Nearly 62% of India-bound tankers and cargo vessels have reduced or switched off their identification system transmissions while transiting Hormuz due to fears of attacks Rapid Read Shipping companies fear that vessels openly broadcasting their positions could become easier to identify or target. (Reuters) More than 60 per cent ships heading to India from the Persian Gulf are temporarily disappearing from public tracking systems while passing through one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints, the Strait of Hormuz. However, they are not vanishing. They are deliberately switching off or restricting their public location broadcasts amid heightened security concerns linked to tensions involving Iran. The move has raised concerns over India’s energy security and supply chains because nearly half of India’s crude oil imports and a significant share of its LNG and LPG cargoes pass through the narrow waterway. Why Are Ships ‘Going Dark’? The phrase “going dark" refers to vessels disabling or limiting their Automatic Identification System (AIS) signals. AIS is a tracking system that continuously broadcasts a ship’s identity, location, speed and destination.

It helps avoid collisions and allows authorities, ports and commercial tracking platforms to monitor vessel movements. However, in conflict zones, broadcasting a ship’s exact location can become a security risk. ALSO READ | 30 India-Bound Ships Cross Strait Of Hormuz, 26 Await Transit As Gulf Maritime Traffic Improves According to maritime intelligence firm Kpler, nearly 62 per cent of India-bound tankers and cargo vessels have reduced or switched off their public AIS transmissions while transiting the Strait of Hormuz due to fears of attacks or interference. Why Now? The latest precaution comes amid tensions involving Iran and concerns over maritime security in the Gulf. Shipping companies fear that vessels openly broadcasting their positions could become easier to identify or target. As a result, many operators have chosen to minimise their digital footprint while crossing the narrow strait. Industry experts quoted by NDTV said the practice is now becoming a preferred safety measure for commercial shipping in the region. The ships continue their voyage and remain in contact with naval authorities, coastal states and shipping companies through secure communication channels. The AIS blackout mainly affects publicly available tracking services that ordinary users and commercial websites rely on.