3 vessels hit by projectiles in Strait of Hormuz

Three vessels have been hit by unknown projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies and sources ​said on Wednesday, as one of the strikes led ‌to a fire onboard a ship and forced most of its crew to evacuate it, Reuters writes.

The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was targeted and damaged ​approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, two maritime security ​sources said.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said later, referring ⁠to the incident, that the fire had been extinguished and ​that there was no environmental impact.

Earlier, the Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty had sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile. Its crew ​members are safe and the vessel is sailing towards a safe anchorage, the ‌sources said.

A third vessel, a bulk carrier, was also hit by an unknown projectile approximately 50 miles northwest of Dubai, maritime security firms said.

Ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz—a crucial route that carries about 20% of global oil and gas supplies—has been significantly disrupted since the conflict in the Middle East began on Feb. 28.

It is noted that the latest incidents bring the number of vessels attacked since the start of the conflict to at least 14.