Maritime security sources report three separate vessel strikes near the strategic waterway as shipping traffic declines during the ongoing Iran conflict.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Three commercial vessels traveling near the Strait of Hormuz were struck by unknown projectiles, by Iran, on Wednesday in separate incidents that damaged two ships and forced part of one crew to evacuate, according to maritime security officials and industry sources.
The incidents occurred in waters surrounding the narrow passage linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, a shipping route through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supply moves each day.
One of the affected ships, the Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, sustained damage after being struck approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman. Maritime security sources said the impact ignited a fire onboard the vessel, prompting most of the crew to leave the ship temporarily while emergency response actions were taken.
Authorities later reported that the blaze had been extinguished. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations monitoring service said the situation had been stabilized and that the incident caused no environmental damage. A reduced crew remained onboard the vessel after the fire was brought under control.
In a separate incident earlier the same day, the Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty was struck by a projectile about 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, according to maritime security sources.
The ship suffered minor damage but continued operating. Officials said the crew was unharmed and the vessel began heading toward a secure anchorage following the strike.
A third vessel, identified as the Marshall Islands–flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth, was also hit during the series of incidents. Maritime risk management company Vanguard reported that the ship’s hull was damaged by a projectile roughly 50 miles northwest of Dubai.
Despite the damage, the crew aboard Star Gwyneth was reported safe.
The three strikes add to a growing list of maritime attacks in the region since fighting involving Iran escalated on Feb. 28. According to maritime security sources, at least 14 vessels have now been targeted since the conflict began.
The incidents have also affected shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most strategically significant maritime corridors in the world. Security firms monitoring shipping traffic say vessel movements through the waterway have declined sharply since the conflict intensified.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy shipments, connecting oil-producing nations in the Persian Gulf with international markets. Disruptions to traffic in the area can have wide-ranging implications for global energy supply and maritime trade.
Maritime security organizations continue to monitor the region as vessels navigate the corridor amid heightened tensions and ongoing safety concerns.
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