Thai-flagged cargo ship hit in attack near Strait of Hormuz

A Thai-registered cargo ship was among three commercial vessels attacked after passing the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre (UKMTO).

The British maritime security body reported that one cargo vessel caught fire after being struck by an unidentified object about 11 nautical miles off the coast of Oman. Crew members began evacuating and requested assistance. In its latest update, UKMTO reported that the fire had been extinguished and some crew members remain on board.

According to maritime security firm, Vanguard Tech, the vessel involved was the ‘Mayuree Naree’, under the flag of Thailand and owned by Bangkok-based Precious Shipping.

An initial report said about 20 crew members abandoned ship, while three others stayed behind to assist with emergency response and recovery operations.

Two other vessels were also reported to have been attacked west of the United Arab Emirates.

One cargo ship sustained damage about 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, UKMTO reported, with all crew members reported safe.

File photo: One Majesty

Vanguard Tech identified the vessel as ‘One Majesty’, a ship registered in Japan. The vessel suffered a 10 centimetres hole and was heading toward a safe anchorage.

The vessel is owned by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and operates as part of the Ocean Network Express (ONE) fleet.

A third vessel was struck by another suspect object about 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai. UKMTO said the crew remain safe and there were no environmental impacts.

The attacks on three commercial vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz occurred after 72 days without reported incidents. The lull had followed tensions and fighting in the Middle East.

Iran has previously threatened to close the strategic waterway and attack ships attempting to pass through it. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime routes, linking the Persian Gulf to global markets.

Since the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran escalated on February 28, at least 10 maritime incidents have been reported, leaving at least seven crew members dead and several others seriously injured.