Container Ship Damaged in Strike Near Strait of Hormuz
A container ship has reported an attack at a position just west of the Strait of Hormuz, according to UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
At about 0200 hours GMT on Wednesday, the master of a container vessel reported that the ship had been hit by an "unknown projectile" at a position 25 nm to the north of Ras al Khaymah, UAE. The ship was damaged, and crewmembers were working to determine the extent of the impact. All personnel aboard were safe and no injuries were reported.
No direct hits were reported the previous day, but on Tuesday morning, the master of an unnamed bulker reported a loud bang and a splash in the water at a position about 35 nm to the north of Abu Dhabi. No damage was reported.
If the hit on the container ship is confirmed, it would bring the tally of merchant vessels struck during the U.S.-Iran conflict to a total of 10, and possibly more. So far, seven seafarers have reportedly been killed by the Iranian strikes on shipping, though accounts vary.
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Iran's ability to sustain a campaign of attacks against vessel traffic has dissuaded most shipowners from attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, and insurers and reinsurers have had to revisit their war risk policy terms. First responders have to be concerned as well: the most lethal attack to date was on a salvage tug, the Mussafah 2, which was trying to help a stricken container ship - itself hit by Iranian fire - in the Strait of Hormuz.
The attacks have proceeded amidst an ongoing U.S. campaign to eliminate Iran's maritime strike capabilities. More than 30 Iranian vessels have been destroyed to date, according to U.S. Central Command, and U.S. Air Force units are working their way down the list of smaller vessel targets as well. On Tuesday alone, CENTCOM claimed to have destroyed 16 Iranian vessels capable of laying mines.
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