The Strait of Hormuz is capturing headlines again as conflict between the United States and Iran escalates. Some commercial operators are reportedly refusing passage even with military escorts because crews and shipowners do not believe the risk can be managed. But viewing Hormuz as an isolated crisis misses the larger trend. Commercial shipping is increasingly becoming a weapon of war, economic coercion, and political leverage across multiple regions.

We have seen attacks and interference in the Gulf of Aden, the Black Sea, the Sea of Azov, the Baltic Sea, and around strategic infrastructure in Central America. Ships are large, slow, visible, expensive targets. A relatively inexpensive drone or guided munition can damage a vessel worth tens of millions of dollars, disrupt its cargo, increase insurance costs, and discourage every other shipowner from entering the area.

The ship does not need to sink for the attack to succeed.

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