Ship Clusters Appear near Strait of Hormuz as GPS Interference Disrupts Maritime Navigation

Clusters of ships have appeared near the Strait of Hormuz amid electronic interference that has disrupted maritime navigation during the ongoing war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, according to multiple reports.

Tracking platforms have recorded at least a dozen clusters of vessels near the waterway, with some groups containing more than 200 ships. The vessels include multiple ship types and in some cases appear to be traveling at speeds exceeding 100 knots, far beyond the normal operating speed of commercial vessels.

The unusual patterns are believed to be caused by electronic interference affecting satellite navigation systems, distorting the reported position and speed of ships on tracking platforms.

The disruption has added to concerns among shipowners and charterers operating near the strait. Several vessels in the region have already been targeted by missiles and other projectiles, while war-risk insurance premiums for shipping have risen.

The disruption comes as the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has halted most maritime traffic through the corridor linking the Persian Gulf with global markets. The halt in shipping has affected global energy supplies, forcing oil producers in the Gulf to hold output as storage fills.

Oil prices initially surged, with Brent crude approaching $120 per barrel before falling after U.S. President Donald Trump indicated the conflict could end soon.

Some vessel clusters detected in tracking data form unusual shapes. One group appeared as a circular formation inland near Abu Dhabi, while another resembled an inverted “Z” near Ruwais. Other groups were detected in the Gulf of Oman, possibly indicating ships waiting offshore until tensions ease.

The interference can also distort speed readings. The products tanker Asprouda, built in 2013, reported a speed of 102.2 knots near Jebel Ali, equal to about 190 kilometers per hour. Tankers of this type typically travel at about 16 knots.

According to the maritime intelligence firm Windward, electronic interference began at the start of the conflict on February 28 and has affected more than 1,100 ships in the Persian Gulf. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell sharply, with only five vessels recorded on March 4 compared with 120 crossings on February 26.

Windward also reported that more than 1,650 vessels experienced interference in their GPS or Automatic Identification Systems across West Asia on March 7, a 55% increase from the previous week. The company identified at least 30 jamming clusters across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman and Iran.

Satellite imagery showed vessel clusters forming crop-circle and zigzag patterns as signals were transmitted from incorrect locations due to interference.

It is not confirmed who is responsible for the jamming. However, Iran has been suspected of disrupting navigation signals in the area and had previously threatened to attack ships attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Electronic interference is widely used in conflicts to disrupt navigation systems of drones and missiles. Similar GPS interference has also been reported during the war between Russia and Ukraine.