A container ship and a dry bulk carrier have sunk near the Strait of Hormuz following separate projectile incidents, as attacks on commercial shipping in and around the strategic waterway continue to intensify.
The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride sank after sustaining damage and a fire while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said. All 21 crew members were evacuated safely and no injuries were reported.
Context: Strait of Hormuz Intelligence File · IMO Net-Zero Framework explained · International Maritime Organization (IMO) · Strait of Hormuz
GFS Pride is described as a small container vessel with a capacity of 2,824 twenty-foot equivalent units. Its UAE-based manager, GFS Ship Management FZE, could not immediately be reached for comment.
Operational context
In a separate case, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged dry bulk carrier Cape Dao sank close to the strait, weeks after it was struck by a projectile on September 23. International Maritime Organization casualty data recorded the vessel’s loss.
One crew member was killed in the Cape Dao incident, while the remaining crew were evacuated immediately after the strike, according to maritime sources. The vessel’s UAE-based manager, Peonies Shipmanagement FZE, could not immediately be reached.
The two casualties are the second and third vessels reported to have sunk since the US-Iran war began on February 28, based on an analysis of IMO casualty data. The Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was struck by a projectile in March and subsequently sank north of the Strait of Hormuz.
The MPA said it was deeply concerned by the continuing attacks on commercial shipping in the strait, describing them as unprovoked and unjustifiable and as a breach of international law.
What it means for maritime operators
Maritime risk management company MARISKS said the latest incidents demonstrated that the threat to vessels using the route extends beyond tankers. Container ships and bulk carriers have also suffered serious damage, been immobilised or sunk.
Security risks have risen sharply over the past 10 days, according to the report. Iran has said it is increasing strikes in response to a US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions introduced last month.
The Strait of Hormuz is a major global energy transit route. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through the waterway. Tehran has sought to restrict transit through the strait since US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, according to the report.
The incidents underline the growing exposure of commercial shipping to the conflict, including vessels not directly involved in energy trades.