Several German cruise ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz found themselves at risk over the past weekend after their routes intersected with patrols of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This was reported by the private maritime security company Vanguard Tech, which monitors incidents in the region. According to them, on Saturday, two TUI liners — "Mein Schiff 4" and "Mein Schiff 5" — were threatened.
Radio Communications That Raised Alarm
According to one of the captains, the crews received a direct warning over the radio from representatives of the IRGC:
"We are conducting an operation, we will shoot and destroy you."
Reports also mention the maneuvering of Iranian boats in close proximity to one of the vessels, which could have been perceived as an attempt to block the course or force the ship to change direction.
Although there was no direct attack, the situation itself caused serious concern among the crews and operating companies.
Disabled Transponders and Loss of Location Data
After the initial warnings, several ships, including cruise liners and container ships, disabled their transponders — the standard Automatic Identification System (AIS) that transmits location data. This led to the ships effectively disappearing from navigation charts for several hours.
Not only TUI liners were affected, but also several container ships owned by the world's largest carrier, MSC.
Experts note that such a measure is used in exceptional cases — for example, when a ship believes it may become a target for attack or pursuit.
Passage Through the Strait Under Government Control
Despite the tension, all affected vessels were able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. A TUI representative stated that the transit was carried out "in close coordination with the relevant authorities." The company emphasized that the crews acted professionally and strictly followed instructions.
At the same time, TUI representatives stated that "there was no specific threat," noting that in conditions of overall instability in the region, isolated incidents were possible that "would not affect the safety of passage."
No Passengers Onboard
At the time of the incident, there were no passengers on the liners: the cruise season in the region had ended back in March, and tourists had disembarked in advance. Only minimal crews remained onboard to ensure the technical maintenance of the vessels.
No damage to the ships was reported.
Extended Stay in the Region and Further Route
According to the company, the ships "Mein Schiff 4," "Mein Schiff 5," and the container ship "MSC Euribia" had been docked in ports in the region — in Abu Dhabi, Doha, and Dubai — for the past three weeks. After the evacuation of passengers, only small teams remained onboard.
Both TUI liners are now heading to the Mediterranean Sea, where they are expected to continue their seasonal routes. The shipping company thanked the crews and all involved for their "prudent behavior" in conditions of heightened risk.
