Two Singapore-Registered Container Ships Struck in Strait of Hormuz; One Sinks, All 43 Crew Safe
Two Singapore-registered container vessels were struck by unidentified projectiles while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, with one sinking after catching fire and the other sustaining hull damage, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) said on October 14, according to Reuters. The two ships carried 43 crew members in total; all were safe, no injuries were reported, and there were no Singaporeans aboard either vessel.
The vessel that sank was the container ship GFS PRIDE. It was struck on October 13, sustained damage and a fire, and later sank; all 21 crew members were safely evacuated. Maritime security sources told Reuters the ship had a capacity of 2,824 TEU and was managed by UAE-based GFS Ship Management FZE, which could not immediately be reached for comment. The Hydrographer of Pakistan issued a navigational warning dated October 14 reporting the merchant vessel sunk, with containers floating in the area, and cautioning mariners.
The second vessel, the container ship GFS GISELLE, was struck on October 14, sustained hull damage, and reached a safe anchorage under its own propulsion; all 22 crew members were safe. The MPA said it was in contact with the vessels' management company and monitoring the situation. On October 13, UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) had reported that a container ship was struck by an unidentified projectile in the Strait of Hormuz area and advised vessels to transit with caution and report suspicious activity.
According to data from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the UN shipping agency, the loss of the GFS PRIDE marks the second vessel to sink in these waters since the US-Iran war began on February 28 this year. Separately, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier Cape Dao, struck by a projectile near the strait on September 23, was reported to be sinking after an unsuccessful rescue attempt, British maritime risk management group Vanguard said on October 14.
Accounts of why the GFS PRIDE sank differ. Maritime security sources attributed the loss to a projectile strike, while Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, cited by Iranian media, claimed the vessel struck a naval mine while using an unauthorized route and alleged it was carrying contraband. The Iranian claim has not been independently verified. As of publication, no marine pollution had been reported by any party.
The Strait of Hormuz, between Iran and Oman, is the only sea passage from the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), about one-fifth of global petroleum liquids consumption passes through the strait, along with a substantial share of global liquefied natural gas trade, making its shipping conditions directly relevant to global energy supplies.
(Compiled from Reuters reporting and the statement of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 一艘商船航行通过霍尔木兹海峡水域（资料图）。图片来源：Wikimedia Commons，美国海军官方照片，公有领域授权
