March 30, 2026 (Bloomberg) – A search for three crew members missing after a Thai cargo ship was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month has not succeeded, according to the ship's owner.

The Mayuree Naree, owned by Bangkok-based Precious Shipping Pcl, was hit by Iranian missiles on March 11 while crossing this important waterway with no cargo. Out of the 23 crew members, 20 were rescued by the Omani navy after they left the ship in a lifeboat. The remaining three are thought to be trapped in the engine room at the back, where the attack caused a fire.

The ship ran aground on an Iranian island last week, and a team that boarded the vessel reported that they could not find the missing crew, said Khalid M. Hashim, Managing Director of Precious Shipping, in a statement on Monday.

Hashim mentioned that the families of the crew have been informed, and the company will work with relevant authorities to decide on further actions.

Thailand has requested assistance from Iranian and Omani officials for the search and rescue. On Saturday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced that Thailand received assurances from Iran for its ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amidst ongoing fuel shortages. Bangchak, a Thai oil refiner and retailer, reported last week that one of its oil tankers safely crossed the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for oil and gas shipments, has faced disruptions since the beginning of the conflict with Iran, leading to rising prices and concerns about supply shortages.

The Mayuree Naree holds war-risk insurance, and Precious Shipping has stated that they do not anticipate this incident to cause significant financial issues or disrupt their overall operations at this time.