Global shipping companies are increasingly refusing US military escort arrangements for transit through the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from CNBC Indonesia.
The rejection of the security scheme comes as maritime safety in the chokepoint deteriorates, despite US officials maintaining that the route remains secure for commercial traffic.
The decision by major carriers to opt out of the escort program highlights a growing disconnect between official assurances and on-the-ground risk assessments.
With the United States having renewed its military counter-blockade on Iranian ports and direct military exchanges occurring in the region, the operational environment has become untenable for many operators.
The US military's presence, intended to guarantee freedom of navigation, is now being viewed by some market participants as insufficient to mitigate the threat of Iranian attacks.
This development adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict over the Strait of Hormuz.