A Singapore-registered container ship has sunk after being struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by Singaporean authorities.
The 2,824 TEU GFS Pride sustained damage and caught fire following the incident on 13 October. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.
The MPA said it was in contact with the vessel’s management company and continued to monitor the situation. The ship is managed by UAE-based GFS Ship Management FZE.
“MPA is deeply concerned about the continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” the authority said.
“Such attacks are unprovoked, unjustifiable and a breach of international law. All actions affecting international shipping must fully comply with international law and must not endanger the safety of seafarers and ships at sea,” it added.
A second Singapore-registered container ship, GFS Giselle, was struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the strait on 14 October. The vessel sustained hull damage but reached a safe anchorage under its own propulsion.
All 22 crew members aboard GFS Giselle were reported safe, with no injuries. There were no Singaporean nationals aboard either vessel.
Separately, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged dry bulk carrier Cape Dao was reportedly sinking near the strait after sustaining damage in a projectile attack on 23 September, maritime security sources told Reuters.
According to Reuters, attacks around the strategic waterway have increased sharply over the past 10 days. The loss of GFS Pride marks the second vessel to sink since the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel began on 28 February, based on data from the International Maritime Organization.
Before the conflict, approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz.
