The conflict in the Middle East, and especially heightened tensions with Iran, has caused an unexpected surge in the popularity of vessel-tracking apps, the Financial Times reports. The Strait of Hormuz has come into focus — a key route for oil and goods shipments where thousands of ships have faced security threats. Governments, companies and media rushed to buy services that provide an instant view of maritime traffic.
One of the main beneficiaries was the firm Kpler with its MarineTraffic service. Co-founder François Cazeur notes that the platform attracted “millions of new users” after the US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Demand rose sharply from official, commercial and media organizations, underscoring the importance of maritime data during a crisis.
The numbers are striking: in April MarineTraffic had about 8.5 million users versus 3.5 million a year earlier. The number of paid subscribers increased by roughly 11,000 over the same period, according to Financial Times journalist Alice Hancock. This growth indicates a shift of part of the audience toward professional and commercial use of the platform.
Not only Kpler benefited: the London Stock Exchange reported that usage of its shipping data tripled in March, and demand for oil apps rose by 75%. Companies are actively expanding offerings to include new sectors such as insurance and finance related to maritime risks. The market increasingly relies on real-time information for supply-chain and energy analysis.
Platforms collect data from many sources — marine tracking systems, satellites and hundreds of port staff — which ensures high accuracy. Kpler is currently valued at $3–5 billion with annual revenue of $300–400 million, and the company plans to enter the insurance market. At the same time it follows strict safety rules: it does not show data on military vessels and hides information about certain private ships on request, balancing transparency and secrecy in a conflict environment.
News commentary
What is the significance of the Strait of Hormuz for the global economy, and why is it considered critical specifically because of Iran’s position? — The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow sea passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through which about 20–25% of global oil shipments pass (roughly 17–20 million barrels per day). For the Gulf countries it is the only access to the open ocean. Iran controls the northern shore of the strait and has repeatedly threatened to close it in response to sanctions or military pressure. Because of Iran’s geographic position (its islands and military bases) it can quickly disrupt shipping using mines, anti-ship missiles or fast attack craft, making the strait a “chokepoint” for global energy security.
What specific security threats to merchant ships in the region are linked to actions by Iran or Iran-backed forces? — Main threats include: 1) seizure of tankers (for example, in 2023 Iran seized the vessel Advantage Sweet near the coast of Oman); 2) mining of waters (in 2019 Iranian forces planted mines near the port of Fujairah); 3) attacks using drones and suicide boats (in 2021 the Israeli tanker Mercer Street was attacked); 4) threats from the Houthis in the Red Sea, whom Tehran supplies with arms and intelligence (attacks on ships off Yemen, for example on True Confidence in 2024).
How does Iran use civilian and military vessels to establish control in the Persian Gulf, and what incidents have occurred in recent years? — Iran employs a “hybrid” control tactic: IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) warships regularly escort Iranian and friendly tankers, blocking access by inspection teams. Civilian vessels are used for reconnaissance and to cover military operations. Examples: in 2022 Iranian fast boats pursued US Navy ships in the strait; in 2023 Iran seized two commercial oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz; in 2024 the Houthis (with Iranian support) attacked the merchant ship Rubymar in the Red Sea.
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