UKMTO lowers Strait of Hormuz threat level to moderate The UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO) has lowered its threat assessment for the Strait of Hormuz to "moderate", down from the "substantial" level it warned of two days earlier. In its latest advisory, the agency said the southern route through the strategic waterway, which runs close to Oman, remains open for transit both day and night. However, UKMTO cautioned that mariners should remain vigilant.