Muscat, Oman. At least three container ships were hit by gunfire in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, according to maritime security sources and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
First incident northeast of Oman
A Liberia-flagged container ship sustained damage to its bridge after being hit by gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades northeast of Oman.
UKMTO said the master reported being approached by an IRGC gunboat and that the vessel was subsequently fired upon. UKMTO said all crew members were safe and there was no fire or environmental impact.
Maritime security sources said three people were onboard the gunboat. The master of the Greek-operated container ship reported that no radio contact was made prior to the incident and that the vessel had initially been informed it had permission to transit the Strait of Hormuz.
Second vessel fired upon west of Iran
UKMTO later said a second container vessel was fired upon about eight nautical miles west of Iran. The Panama-flagged vessel was not damaged and its crew members were safe.
Third vessel fired upon while transiting outbound
Maritime security sources said a third container ship was fired upon about eight nautical miles west of Iran while transiting outbound of the Strait of Hormuz. The Liberia-flagged vessel was not damaged but had stopped in the water, and its crew were safe, the sources said.
Shipping restrictions and strategic importance
Iran has imposed restrictions on ships using the strait, first in retaliation for the U.S.-Israeli bombardment of the country, and then in response to a U.S. blockade of Iranian ports.
Before the war began on February 28, the waterway typically handled roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supply.
What impact do you expect these incidents to have on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz?
