hostile embargo

A hostile embargo is a government's prohibition on the movement of enemy ships. This is a specific type of embargo, which is a legal restriction on the departure of vessels or the movement of goods to or from certain countries. Embargoes can be broad, affecting all commerce, or narrow, targeting specific items like military goods or oil.12

Embargoes are a form of economic warfare used for political reasons, such as demonstrating resolve, retaliating for actions, or compelling a country to change its behavior. They can also be used to prevent potentially threatening countries from increasing their military power. While civil embargoes involve detaining national vessels, hostile embargoes involve detaining the vessels or property of a foreign country. Economic sanctions, which can include embargoes, are restrictions imposed to compel or prevent certain actions.23