A mysterious vessel posing as a liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has reportedly transited the Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over evolving tactics used to bypass risks in one of the world’s most sensitive energy chokepoints.
Ship-tracking data showed a vessel identifying itself as “Jamal” exiting the strait, but records indicate that the real LNG carrier had already been scrapped at a demolition yard in India in October last year. This suggests the vessel may be a so-called “zombie ship”—a tanker that assumes the identity of a defunct, legitimate vessel, said a Bloomberg report.
A new tactic in a war zone
The emergence of such a ship marks the first known instance of a zombie vessel being used to navigate the Strait of Hormuz since the escalation of conflict involving Iran. The waterway has effectively become a high-risk zone, with traffic slowing to near standstill amid missile threats and military tensions.
Only a handful of ships have managed to pass through recently—often after securing informal clearance from Iranian authorities.'
Suspicious movement patterns
The vessel’s behavior has added to the intrigue:
- First appeared on tracking systems around March 13 near Oman
- Went “dark” by switching off its transponder
- Re-emerged days later near the United Arab Emirates with no clear destination
- Last tracked off Iran’s southeastern coast
Such erratic signaling patterns are commonly associated with vessels attempting to obscure their identity or route.
Rise of “zombie ships”'
Zombie ships are not entirely new—they have been used in sanctioned oil trades, particularly involving countries like Venezuela and Russia. However, their use in LNG trade—and specifically in the Strait of Hormuz—is highly unusual due to the specialized nature and limited number of LNG carriers.
The incident highlights how maritime strategies are evolving rapidly as geopolitical risks escalate.
Strategic implications
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical artery for global energy flows, handling a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas shipments. Any disruption—or workaround like this—has major implications for global markets, shipping security, and energy prices.
Countries including India and Turkey have reportedly negotiated safe passage for some vessels, while others have resorted to turning off tracking systems to avoid detection amid rising electronic interference in the region.
The appearance of a “zombie LNG carrier” underscores a new phase in maritime risk-taking—where deception, signal manipulation, and identity masking are becoming tools to navigate conflict zones. As tensions persist, such shadow tactics could become more frequent, complicating global shipping and energy security.
The "zombie ship" Jamal is a recent and highly unusual case of maritime deception that occurred in the Strait of Hormuz around March 20, 2026.
The Masquerade
The vessel identified itself via AIS (Automatic Identification System) as the Jamal, a specialized Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carrier.
The "Dead" Identity: Digital records and port agents confirmed that the real Jamal had been beached at an Indian ship-breaking yard in October 2025 and was currently being dismantled.
The Rarity Factor: LNG carriers are highly specialized, limited in number, and less common in the "shadow fleet" than crude oil tankers.
This rarity made it less likely to be immediately flagged as a suspicious "dark" vessel. Navigational Stealth: The ship first appeared on tracking systems on March 13, signaling a destination of Sohar, Oman.
It then went "dark" (turned off its transponder) before re-emerging on March 20 near Sharjah, UAE, having successfully exited the Strait.
Why It Matters
This incident is significant because it marks the first known instance of a "zombie ship" tactic being used to transit the Strait of Hormuz during the current 2026 conflict.
Evolving Tactics: While "dark" tankers (vessels with no signal) are common in sanctioned trade, "zombie" ships—which steal the identity of a scrapped vessel—represent a much more sophisticated level of deception.
Electronic Warfare: The region is currently experiencing heavy electronic interference and GPS spoofing, which makes it easier for these vessels to broadcast false location and identity data.
Safe Passage: At a time when Western-flagged vessels are shunning the Strait due to Iranian threats and "Operation Epic Fury," the Jamal’s successful exit suggests that some operators are finding highly unconventional ways to move cargo through the chokepoint.
The true identity and cargo of the ship masquerading as the Jamal remain unknown, though it is managed by Resurgence Ship Management in Mumbai, the same firm associated with the original scrapped vessel.
Would you like me to look into more details about the current shipping restrictions in the Strait or the "Tanker War" of 2026?
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