Finance
Greece advises Greek-flagged vessels to avoid some shipping routes after strikes on Iran
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 28, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 28, 2026
Quick Summary
Greece’s shipping ministry on February 28, 2026, warned Greek‑flagged vessels to steer clear of the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz and nearby areas after U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, citing heightened risks of missile or drone attacks and potential spillover into adjacent seas.
ATHENS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Greece's shipping ministry advised Greek-flagged vessels on Saturday to exercise maximum vigilance and avoid the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, according to an advisory seen by Reuters.
"The developing situation affects the safety of navigation in the wider Persian Gulf, the Straits of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman and the North Arabian Sea," the document said, advising managing companies to implement the highest level of security measures in those areas and Israeli ports until further notice.
It added that it could not rule out the spread of the crisis to the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden due to links between Iran and Iran-aligned Houthi militants.
The advisory also warned ships to be vigilant for potential missile or drone attacks, strikes on port facilities, harassment or electronic interference and disruptions to the electronic navigation systems of ships.
(Reporting by Yannis Souliotis and Renee Maltezou; Editing by Aidan Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Greece urges maximum vigilance and avoidance of Iran‑adjacent shipping lanes following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran, warning of threats from drones, missiles, electronic interference and port attacks (marketscreener.com).
- •Previous advisories in mid‑2025 saw Greece and other maritime powers similarly urging avoidance and increased reporting of transits through Strait of Hormuz amid Israel‑Iran tensions (wsj.com).
- •Shipping groups like BIMCO note growing war‑risk premiums, rising freight and insurance costs, and shipowners increasingly avoiding the Red Sea, Persian Gulf and Strait routes despite traffic remaining technically open (cnbc.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Greece advises Greek-flagged vessels to avoid some shipping routes after strikes on Iran
1Why did Greece issue an advisory to Greek-flagged ships?
Greece issued the advisory due to heightened risks in the Persian Gulf and surrounding regions following US and Israeli strikes on Iran.
2Which maritime areas should Greek-flagged vessels avoid?
Vessels should avoid the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Strait of Hormuz, and remain cautious in the wider North Arabian Sea.
3What security threats were highlighted in the Greek advisory?
The advisory warned of missile or drone attacks, strikes on port facilities, harassment, electronic interference, and navigation system disruptions.
4Could the maritime crisis spread to other regions?
Yes, the advisory noted potential risks spreading to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden due to links with Houthi militants.
5What actions should shipping companies take according to Greece?
Shipping management companies should implement the highest level of security and stay vigilant in affected regions and Israeli ports.