Media: Ships in Persian Gulf posing as Chinese to avoid attacks

Ships stranded in the Persian Gulf amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East have begun using transponders to disguise themselves as Chinese vessels, the Financial Times reports.

According to the newspaper, at least 10 ships over the past week have changed their destination signal to “Chinese owner,” “All Chinese crew,” or “Chinese crew on board.”

Currently, about 1,000 vessels with a total value of roughly $25 billion are effectively stuck in and around the Persian Gulf.

The publication notes that the conflict has effectively paralysed shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a key route for oil and liquefied natural gas supplies from the Middle East.