According to foreign media reports, on Monday evening, a cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz was struck by an unknown object, resulting in one crew member missing and the vessel losing power. This is the latest attack on commercial shipping in this strategic waterway.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the incident occurred at 22:10 on August 3, when a military source relayed the distress signal sent by the vessel. Another commercial vessel reported that the ship was struck by an unknown projectile in its engine room and crew accommodation area while sailing northward within Omani territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz at the time of the incident.
The UKMTO stated that one crew member is missing, and the remaining crew members have been safely evacuated. The attack caused a fire, resulting in a loss of electrical power on board, requiring external assistance. The vessel was at anchor in its last report, but the UKMTO stated that it is currently unable to establish contact with the vessel.
This attack follows another security incident on August 2, when two tankers transiting the Strait of Hormuz reported receiving Very High Frequency (VHF) threat messages from individuals claiming to be the “Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy” and encountering warning shots.
One of the departing tankers turned back toward Dubai after receiving the threat, while another inbound tanker reported hearing warning shots from the north and an explosion approximately 1.5 nautical miles astern of its port side. The UKMTO assessed that the two incidents were likely linked.
The latest attack comes as diplomatic efforts continue to push for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. On Tuesday, Qatar stated that mediators, including Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman, are exchanging draft proposals between the United States and Iran, while U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that a deal could be reached within days.
Despite these signs of progress, the security situation for commercial shipping remains extremely severe.
The latest bulletin from the Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC) stated that commercial shipping volumes through the Strait of Hormuz remain far below normal levels, with tanker transits in a single direction numbering only in single digits.
The agency stated that attacks and harassment by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have increased, including VHF radio calls, drone overflights, targeted surveillance, projectile attacks, and near-collision incidents with commercial vessels within Omani territorial waters, particularly along the Lima-Hasab axis.
The Strait of Hormuz maintains a severe threat rating, and under the current circumstances, the Joint Military Information Center assesses the likelihood of hostile action as “extremely high.”
The JMIC also warned of the continued hazard of drifting or unmarked mines near the Traffic Separation Scheme, and reminded crew members to maintain a high level of vigilance, as naval forces continue to conduct blockade enforcement and verification operations throughout the region.
Compiled and edited by Shipping Online
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