A cargo ship transiting the Strait of Hormuz has been disabled after being struck by an unknown projectile, leaving one crew member missing in the latest attack on commercial shipping in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the incident occurred at 2210 UTC on 3 August after receiving a mayday relay from a military source.
A nearby merchant vessel reported that the stricken ship had been hit in both its engine room and crew accommodation while sailing northbound through Omani territorial waters. The strike sparked a fire, knocked out the vessel’s power supply and left it disabled and in need of assistance.
UKMTO said the remaining crew evacuated safely, although one seafarer remains unaccounted for. The vessel was last reported at anchor, and UKMTO said it had been unable to establish contact with the ship. The attack followed another series of security incidents in the Strait of Hormuz on 2 August, when two tankers reported receiving VHF threats claiming to be from the “Sepah Navy”, warning shots and nearby explosions.
One outbound tanker turned back towards Dubai after receiving the threats, while another inbound vessel reported warning shots fired from the north and an explosion around 1.5 nautical miles off its port quarter. UKMTO assessed the two incidents were likely linked.
The latest assault comes despite renewed diplomatic efforts to ease tensions and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Qatar said on Tuesday that mediators, including Qatar, Pakistan and Oman, were exchanging draft proposals between the United States and Iran, while US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said an agreement could be reached within days.
However, the security outlook for commercial shipping remains deeply concerning.