A Malta-flagged container ship was struck by a missile off the coast of Oman while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday.
The Safeen Prestige issued an emergency call and contacted Maltese authorities to report being hit at around 1pm Malta-time.
The 13-year-old ship was sailing through the Strait of Hormuz, from Shargah in Dubai en route to Jedday, Saudi Arabia. It was expected to reach Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
The ship was two nautical miles north of Oman, “transiting eastbound in the Straits of Hormuz” when it was “hit by an unknown projectile just above the water line, causing a fire in the engine room,” according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Sources told Times of Malta nobody was injured in the attack.
It was the fourth reported attack in regional waters within 24 hours, after projectiles struck or landed near three other vessels off the Emirati and Omani coasts.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards on Wednesday said they had “complete control” over the vital waterway, through which around 20 per cent of global seaborne oil passes, and warned that any vessels seeking to pass risked damage from missiles or stray drones.
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The threat has spooked insurers and led to multiple vessels cancelling transits through the area.
With energy prices already spiking, US President Donald Trump had said the US Navy was ready to escort oil tankers through the crucial shipping route. He has also said US authorities will offer shippers insurance coverage.
More to follow