Two Container Ships Struck by Unknown Projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

MIDDLE EAST — United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations received time-late reports on October 13 of two container ships struck by unknown projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one inbound and one outbound, with both vessels reporting minor damage, no casualties, and continued passage.

United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued Warning 172-26 for a 50,000 tonne container ship struck at 4:40 PM UTC while conducting an inbound transit, and Warning 173-26 for a 19,000 tonne container ship struck at 5:00 PM UTC while conducting an outbound transit.

Both warnings stated the source as verified, noted that authorities are investigating, and advised vessels to transit with caution and report suspicious activity.

Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority said GFS Pride, a Singapore-registered container vessel, was struck by an unknown projectile on October 13, sustained damage and a fire, and later sank, with all 21 crew members safely evacuated and no injuries.

GFS Giselle, also Singapore-registered, was struck on October 14, sustained hull damage, and reached a safe anchorage under its own propulsion, with all 22 crew members safe and no injuries. No Singaporeans were among the crews of either vessel.

Iranian state-run media carried an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy statement that a vessel transporting 2,500 containers, found in violation of regulations, began taking on water after hitting a mine in the southern part of the Strait of Hormuz along a route the statement called unsafe.

Commercial ship-tracking data showed the OFAC-sanctioned container ship ZYRA (IMO 9237084) sailing east from Iranian waters in the Gulf of Oman before turning around on October 13 and returning to the vicinity of Jask on October 14.

Strait of Hormuz Strikes on October 13

• UKMTO Warning 172-26 reported a 50,000 tonne container ship struck by an unknown projectile at 4:40 PM UTC during an inbound transit, with minor damage, no casualties, and continued passage.

• UKMTO Warning 173-26 reported a 19,000 tonne container ship struck by an unknown projectile at 5:00 PM UTC during an outbound transit, with minor damage, no casualties, and continued passage.

• Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority said GFS Pride was struck on October 13, sank after fire and damage, and GFS Giselle was struck on October 14, continued to safe anchorage, with all 21 and 22 crew members respectively safe and no injuries.

Vessel ZYRA Movements

The container ship ZYRA (IMO 9237084), listed in vessel databases with multiple flags including Iran and Comoros and identified in United Against Nuclear Iran tracking as OFAC-sanctioned, showed an eastward track from Iranian waters in the Gulf of Oman before turning around on October 13 and returning toward the vicinity of Bandar-e Jask on October 14, according to commercial ship-tracking data.

Official Statements

• United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, Warning 172-26, October 13: “UKMTO has received a time-late report of an incident within the Strait of Hormuz. A 50,000 tonne Container ship was struck by an unknown projectile whilst conducting an inbound SoH transit. The vessel reports minor damage, no casualties and was able to continue on its passage. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”

• United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, Warning 173-26, October 13: “UKMTO has received a time-late report of an incident within the Strait of Hormuz. A 19,000 tonne Container ship was struck by an unknown projectile whilst conducting an outbound SoH transit. The vessel reports minor damage, no casualties and was able to continue on its passage. Authorities are investigating. Vessels are advised to transit with caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO.”