Royal Navy ships will no longer accompany UK-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, though the UK will still maintain a presence around the sensitive waterway.
A UK government spokeswoman told Reuters the government was lowering the security risk level and that escorts in the region were no longer needed "following a decrease in the specific risk of detention of those vessels".
The move comes nearly seven weeks after the 50,000-dwt product tanker Stena Impero (built 2018) was released.
The Swedish-owned, UK-flagged ship was seized by Iran in the strait in July, purportedly in retaliation for the UK seizing the 300,100-dwt VLCC Grace 1 (built 1997) in Gibraltar weeks before.
But it also comes as the six-member International Maritime Security Construct, a US-led naval coalition that includes the UK, is set to begin its Operation Sentinel, which will patrol waters in the region.
As described in a flyer circulated last month, the mission will entail larger ships in key chokepoints, smaller ships policing open water and airborne surveillance to ensure freedom of navigation.
Alongside the US and UK, the coalition counts Australia, the UAE, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as members.
The lowered risk level was cheered by the UK Chamber of Shipping.
“We have regularly called for a de-escalation of tension in the Strait of Hormuz and we welcome the news that UK-flagged ships will soon transit the area without close Royal Naval protection," a spokesperson said.
“The safety of crews and ships in international waters is imperative. We continue to urge all ships operating in the region to liaise with the relevant authorities to ensure their safety and to enable the free flow of goods across the world.
"Global trade relies on the safe passage of goods and without this consumers and businesses could suffer with increased costs.”
