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Ships Signal 'China Link' to Evade Gulf Attacks
12 Mar
Summary
- Commercial vessels in the Persian Gulf are signaling 'China Owner' to avoid attacks.
- At least 19 commercial ships have been damaged in the conflict zone.
- This tactic mirrors a similar approach used during Red Sea Houthi attacks.
Commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf are now identifying as 'China-linked' to decrease their vulnerability to attacks. Data analyzed by The Associated Press reveals that at least eight ships have updated their destination signals to messages such as 'CHINA OWNER' or 'CHINA OWNER&CREW.'
This strategy aims to avoid being mistaken for vessels that Iran has threatened to target. Experts suggest that Iran has generally refrained from attacking ships associated with China due to the nation's neutral diplomatic position and strong economic ties. This tactic was also observed during earlier Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, where ships declared Chinese links to mitigate risks.
While many of these vessels do not fly Chinese flags, their operators may have significant ties to China through ownership, operations, or cargo. However, the actual success of this identification strategy in preventing attacks is yet to be determined. As of Thursday, the conflict has resulted in damage to at least 19 commercial ships in the wider region.
