At least two MSC containerships have been boarded by Iranian forces in the Strait of Hormuz as the company attempts to evacuate vessels from the Gulf, reports the UK's Transport Intelligence.

Confused reports suggest the MSC Francesca, an 11,660 TEU vessel, and the MSC Epaminondas, a 6,690 TEU ship, were seized and are being sailed to an Iranian port. A third vessel, the MSC Euphoria, was reportedly fired upon and is either drifting east of the Strait or sailing out.

Other vessels were reported to have been shot at, including in Omani waters, with at least one sustaining damage. Sources said MSC has moved between four and six container ships out of the Gulf, including larger units such as the MSC Clara, MSC Margrit XIII, MSC Grace, and MSC Madeleine, each with a capacity of up to 20,000 TEU.

Reports also suggested that MSC shifted cruise vessels out of the Gulf over the weekend, though this remains unconfirmed. The company has made no public statement on the incidents.

Iranian media quoted the IRGC Navy as saying the ships were attempting to exit the Strait covertly with transponders off and were intercepted to safeguard Iranian rights in the strategic waterway. The IRGC also cited MSC's alleged links with Israel, echoing Houthis' earlier justifications for Red Sea attacks.