Three commercial vessels were struck by unknown projectiles in and around the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, with one ship catching fire and its crew forced to evacuate — the latest in an escalating maritime campaign that has now hit at least 14 vessels since the Iran conflict began.
The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was targeted approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman, two maritime security sources said. The strike ignited a fire onboard, forcing most of the crew to abandon ship. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations later confirmed the fire had been extinguished and there was no environmental impact, with the necessary crew remaining onboard.
Earlier, the Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. Its crew members are safe, and the vessel is sailing toward a safe anchorage, sources said.
A third vessel, the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth, was hit approximately 50 miles northwest of Dubai. The projectile damaged the hull, maritime risk management company Vanguard reported, but the crew was safe.
The Toll Since February 28
Wednesday’s attacks bring the total number of vessels struck since the U.S.-Israel war against Iran began on February 28 to at least 14. Maritime security agencies have documented a steady escalation of strikes on commercial shipping in the region’s critical waterways.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key artery accounting for about 20% of global oil and gas supply, has seen traffic plummet since the conflict erupted. Iran has declared the strait closed and vowed to attack any ship attempting passage, a threat it has now made good on repeatedly.
The Broader Maritime Campaign
The vessel attacks are part of a wider Iranian campaign targeting maritime traffic and infrastructure across the Gulf:
· Ships struck: At least 14 vessels damaged since February 28
· Sailors killed: 7 confirmed dead in previous attacks
· Naval engagement: U.S. submarine sank Iranian frigate IRIS Dena off Sri Lanka, killing more than 80 sailors
· Infrastructure attacks: Drones struck near Dubai International Airport on Wednesday, injuring four workers
· Energy facilities: Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura refinery targeted; Qatar declared force majeure on LNG production
What Comes Next
The Mayuree Naree remains in the Gulf with the necessary crew onboard. The One Majesty is heading to safe anchorage. The Star Gwyneth sails on with hull damage, but the crew is safe.
But for the shipping companies now weighing whether to risk the Strait of Hormuz, the calculation grows more difficult with each attack. Twenty percent of the world’s oil normally passes through these waters. With Iran demonstrating it can strike at will, and with no end to the conflict in sight, the question is not whether more ships will be hit — but how many before global energy markets buckle.
