Key facts
- The GFS Pride, a Singapore-flagged container vessel, sank after sustaining damage and a fire.
- The Cape Dao, an Antigua and Barbuda-flagged dry bulk carrier, sank weeks after a projectile strike.
- One crew member was killed on the Cape Dao.
- The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil and LNG trade.
A container ship and a dry bulk carrier have sunk near the Strait of Hormuz in separate incidents within the past 24 hours after being hit by projectiles, maritime officials reported on Wednesday. Attacks around the vital waterway have intensified over the last 10 days, with Iran stating it is increasing strikes in retaliation for a US blockade and new sanctions.
The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride, a small container vessel, sustained damage and a fire before sinking. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Separately, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Cape Dao sank near the strait weeks after being struck by a projectile on September 23, which resulted in one crew fatality and the evacuation of the remaining crew.
These incidents highlight the ongoing threat to commercial shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a route crucial for global energy trade. The attacks are not limited to tankers, with container and bulk carrier vessels also sustaining significant damage.