It is well known that the Strait of Hormuz is not merely a commercial and oil shipping route; it also serves as another type of passage. What, then, is that other passage?
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It is well known that the Strait of Hormuz is not merely a commercial and oil shipping route; it also serves as another type of passage. What, then, is that other passage?
Haydari Nazar
26
The shipping lanes within the Strait of Hormuz, rather than there being a “second” secret strait or a separate passage exclusively for oil.
There is a very important point here:
1. Shipping lanes for commercial vessels
The Strait of Hormuz has a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) since 1968, at the initiative of Iran and Oman. It divides vessel traffic into opposing lanes to reduce the risk of collisions.
In simple terms:
Gulf → Hormuz → Gulf of Oman
Outbound vessel lane
Inbound vessel lane
Separation zone between them
These lanes are not reserved for oil alone; oil and gas tankers, commercial vessels, cargo ships, and other types of vessels use the navigation system.
2. There is also a “coastal passage” or alternative routes
This may be what you heard about.
Under normal circumstances, there is a designated navigation system. However, during the recent crisis, alternative routes/passages close to the Iranian or Omani coast emerged. Under the current emergency arrangements, Iran is responsible for coordination and guidance in the northern route, while Oman is responsible for the southern route.
This is particularly important in relation to what we discussed earlier regarding Iran’s statement that Hormuz will not return to its previous status.
The situation could therefore shift from:
“All vessels use the standard international traffic system”
to:
“Passage takes place through designated routes, under the coordination and management of the coastal states, particularly Iran on the northern side.”
This did in fact occur temporarily under the 2026 arrangements. The International Maritime Organization stated that the old Traffic Separation Scheme should not be used because of reports of mines, and that navigation should instead be organized through specific instructions and routes coordinated by the coastal states.
There is another possibility that may be what you meant
If you heard that “there is another passage in Hormuz apart from the commercial and oil route,” it may refer to routes used by military vessels or to maritime routes that naval vessels can use under certain circumstances.
Here, two things must be distinguished:
Navigation lane ≠ military route.
According to the navigational sources I reviewed, there is no “secret military channel” inside Hormuz running parallel to the commercial shipping lanes. However, military vessels have different capabilities and navigation rules, and they may use maritime routes that do not necessarily coincide with the traffic patterns of commercial tankers.
Most importantly, Hormuz is not merely an oil channel; it is a strategic maritime gateway for all maritime traffic between the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman, and the Arabian Sea.
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