When ships come under attack in the Strait of Hormuz, distress calls are often answered thousands of miles away at the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre near Portsmouth. Staffed around the clock by an 18 person team led by the British navy, the center monitors commercial shipping and alerts nearby coast guard and military authorities when vessels report missile strikes, drone attacks or small arms fire. Since the outbreak of war between the United States and Israel against Iran in late February, its role has become increasingly critical.

Founded more than 25 years ago to strengthen maritime security, the organization previously focused on piracy off Somalia but now tracks escalating threats in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. It has logged dozens of incidents since early March, many involving direct attacks that caused fires or flooding. Although a fragile ceasefire has reduced large scale assaults, ships are still being stopped, boarded and in some cases detained.

Traffic through the strait has collapsed from about 130 ships a day to fewer than a dozen, leaving hundreds of vessels stranded and thousands of seafarers waiting for safe passage. Fears that sea mines have been laid have further discouraged shipping, even though few sightings have been confirmed. The disruption has driven up energy prices and shaken global trade.

Despite its links to the British navy, the center emphasizes neutrality and shares verified information with vessels of all nationalities. By acting as a trusted clearinghouse for real time maritime security updates, it has become an essential lifeline for the global shipping industry navigating one of the world's most dangerous waterways.