Strait of Hormuz: Container Ship Sinks After Attack

A Singapore-flagged container ship, GFS Pride, has sunk after being struck by an unidentified projectile while traversing the Strait of Hormuz. Authorities confirmed that all 21 crew members were successfully evacuated and sustained no injuries following the attack on Tuesday, which also caused damage and a fire aboard the vessel. This incident follows another report of a Singapore-flagged container ship, GFS Giselle, sustaining hull damage from a projectile on Wednesday, though its 22 crew members were safe.

Maritime officials have reported that merchant vessels have faced repeated attacks in the Strait of Hormuz since February, leading to the deaths of at least 24 seafarers in 106 incidents. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint, typically handling a fifth of global oil and gas shipments. The area had been effectively closed after the start of the Iran war due to attacks on commercial vessels and a US naval blockade, though a preliminary agreement to reopen it in June collapsed within weeks as attacks resumed. Iran has insisted on maintaining some control over the waterway, even targeting vessels using southern routes through Omani waters. The US military continues to provide protection for tankers in the strait.