The UK’s Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) organisation says the threat in the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman/Arabian Sea remains at a critical level, with traffic through the Strait of Hormuz still “significantly reduced”, AlJazeera reports.

The update from the UKMTO found the piracy threat in the region also remains “severe”, with three merchant vessels still held after being captured between April 21 and May 2.

The status of an oil tanker seized 10 nautical miles (about 18.5km) off the coast of Yemen and diverted towards Somali waters on May 2 is currently unconfirmed, the British maritime body said.

The update also noted mining of shipping routes through the strait and interference in satellite navigation systems remain consistent.