LONDON, Oct 14 (Reuters) – In the last 24 hours, both a container ship and a dry bulk carrier sank near the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by projectiles in separate incidents, according to maritime officials.
There has been a rise in attacks around the waterway over the past 10 days. Iran claims these strikes are intensified in response to the US blockade of its ports and the stricter sanctions implemented last month.
The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride, a small container ship with a capacity of 2,824 TEU (20-foot equivalent units), sank while passing through the strait, according to maritime security sources.
The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) reported that “the GFS Pride sustained damage and caught fire before sinking. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries have been reported.” The vessel was traveling through the strait on Tuesday.
In a different incident, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Cape Dao sank near the strait a few weeks after being struck by a projectile on September 23, according to data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
One crew member lost their life, while the remaining crew was evacuated immediately after the strike, maritime sources mentioned.
The UAE-based manager of the Cape Dao, Peonies Shipmanagement FZE, could not be reached for comments at this time.
The GFS Pride and Cape Dao are the second and third ships to sink since the US-Iran conflict escalated on February 28, based on an analysis of IMO casualty data.
The Singapore authority expressed that “the MPA is deeply concerned about the ongoing attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.” They stated that “such acts are unprovoked, unjustifiable, and a violation of international law.”
The manager of the GFS Pride, GFS Ship Management FZE, also could not be reached for comments.
According to maritime risk management company MARISKS, “the latest incidents highlight the ongoing threat to commercial shipping passing through the Strait of Hormuz.” They emphasized that “this risk is not limited to tankers, as container ships and bulk carriers also face significant damage.”
IRAN TIGHTENS GRIP
The increase in threats to commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, which is a key route for about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade, has raised security concerns in the area.
Since US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, Tehran has attempted to strengthen its control over the waterway, limiting transit to gain leverage against Washington.
Iran is adopting new strategies against vessels in the strait as it aims to keep oil prices high and influence the US midterm elections, as per statements from two senior Iranian officials.
While attacks from both Iran and the US have focused mainly on tankers, cargo and container ships have also been targeted, immobilized, or sunk.
In March, the Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was hit by a projectile and later sank north of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards attacked and seized the container ship MSC Francesca in April.