A Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated dry bulk carrier was struck by an unknown projectile near the Strait of Hormuz yesterday, prompting crew evacuation and leaving one seafarer missing, according to maritime authorities monitoring regional shipping traffic.
The Minoan Pioneer, a cargo vessel, was hit by the projectile at approximately 22:00 UTC, roughly 20 nautical miles northeast of Al Khasab, Oman. UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the crew broadcast a distress call on VHF Channel 16 indicating the vessel had been struck.
According to maritime security sources and reports citing Reuters, the projectile struck the ship's engine room, causing a complete loss of electrical power. A fire subsequently broke out in the accommodation area. The crew fought the blaze and issued a distress call before abandoning the vessel. The third engineer is reported missing. A nearby Panama-flagged tanker, the Surianame Prosperity, relayed the distress call to authorities.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and the identity of the vessel responsible remains unconfirmed. The incident occurs amid a pattern of recent attacks on commercial shipping transiting the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical maritime passages.
UKMTO advised vessels in the area to transit with heightened caution and to report any suspicious activity to authorities.
The incident reflects broader concerns about maritime security in the region as tensions between the United States and Iran remain elevated. The Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, handles approximately one-third of the world's seaborne oil trade. Attacks on commercial shipping in the corridor disrupt global energy markets and raise insurance costs for vessel operators.
