Cargo Ship Reportedly Struck Near Hormuz, IMO Withdrawal Plan Halted

Ships are docked in the Hormuz Strait on May 30. [Photo=Reuters]

Reports have emerged of a cargo ship being struck by a projectile in Oman waters near the Hormuz Strait, leading to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) halting its withdrawal plan for vessels and crew just one day after its initiation. This incident occurred shortly after Iran warned that it could not guarantee the safety of ships straying from approved routes, raising new uncertainties about the normalization of navigation through the Hormuz Strait.

According to Reuters, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported on June 25 that a cargo ship was hit by a projectile approximately 7.5 nautical miles southeast of the Port of Duqm in Oman.

UKMTO stated, "The ship's bridge was damaged, but there were no reports of casualties or environmental damage, and relevant authorities are investigating the incident."

Maritime security sources told Reuters that while the assailant has not been confirmed, there is a possibility that a drone targeted the vessel. British maritime crisis management firm Vanguard and maritime sources identified the ship as the Singapore-flagged container vessel Ever Able. The ship's owner, Taiwan's Evergreen, did not respond to inquiries regarding the incident.

This incident follows Iran's warning that it would tighten control over navigation in the Hormuz Strait. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated, "Safe passage is only possible when using the routes designated by Iran," adding that it would respond to vessels that do not comply.

The Persian Gulf Shipping Authority (PGSA), established by the Iranian government to manage navigation in the Strait, also warned via X (formerly Twitter) that it could not guarantee safe passage for vessels using routes outside designated areas. The authority stated, "The responsibility for any consequences arising from unauthorized routes lies with the shipowners, operators, and captains."

Following the report of the ship being struck, the IMO temporarily suspended its withdrawal plan for vessels and crew that had begun the previous day. The IMO had previously initiated an operation to evacuate hundreds of ships and over 11,000 crew members remaining in the area, with Oman announcing the provision of a temporary navigation route.

Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the IMO, stated in a release, "Several vessels have successfully exited the Strait as planned," but added that the operation would be temporarily halted to reassess safety guarantees. He clarified that the vessel reported struck in the Gulf of Oman was not part of the IMO withdrawal system.

* This article has been translated by AI.

AJP