Two cargo ships, GFS PRIDE and CAPE DAO, have sunk in the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing attacks on commercial vessels, raising maritime safety concerns.
As attacks on commercial vessels continue in the Strait of Hormuz and its vicinity, it has been reported that two cargo ships have sunk. The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS PRIDE sank on October 13 after being struck by unidentified munitions, causing a fire, while the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier CAPE DAO, which was attacked on September 23, was also reported to have sunk without being salvaged.
The loss of the two vessels is linked to attacks that occurred on different dates, while all 21 crew members aboard GFS PRIDE were rescued. However, one Indian sailor lost his life in the attack on CAPE DAO.
The GFS PRIDE sank after a fire.
The Singapore-flagged GFS PRIDE, operated by Dubai-based Global Feeder Shipping, sustained damage on October 13 while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by an unidentified object.
The 2008-built container ship, with a capacity of 2,824 TEU, caught fire following the attack. The ship subsequently sank due to the fire and the resulting damage.
The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority confirmed that all 21 crew members on board were safely evacuated and that there were no injuries.
After the sinking of the vessel, containers were seen drifting in the sea near the coast of Oman. Pakistan's hydrographic authorities issued a navigation warning due to the containers that were scattered approximately four nautical miles northwest of Ras Shaykh Masud.
GFS GISELLE survived with hull damage.
Following GFS PRIDE, another container ship from the same operator's fleet, GFS GISELLE, was also attacked on October 14.
The Singapore-flagged vessel, built in 2015 and with a capacity of approximately 4,400 TEU, sustained damage to its hull. Nevertheless, the ship managed to reach a safe anchorage using its own engine power.
It was reported that all 22 crew members on board were safe and that no injuries occurred.
Singapore authorities stated that they are in contact with the operators of both vessels and are monitoring developments.
CAPE DAO sank three weeks later.
The other vessel lost around Hormuz was the bulk carrier CAPE DAO, which has a carrying capacity of 170,000 DWT.
The Antigua and Barbuda-flagged ship, built in 2002, sustained severe damage after being struck by munitions while sailing off the coast of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula on September 23.
A fire broke out in the engine room following the attack. While one Indian sailor lost his life in the incident, the other 27 crew members were evacuated from the ship.
Attempts to salvage the vessel were unsuccessful. The information regarding the sinking of CAPE DAO was also reflected in international maritime records.
A third ship linked to AD Ports Group was also hit.
In the recent attacks, a third container ship linked to the UAE-based AD Ports Group was targeted.
The Marshall Islands-flagged AL SAADIYAT, with a capacity of 1,730 TEU, was attacked while operating under Safeen Feeders during its outbound passage from the Strait of Hormuz.
According to initial reports, the ship was able to continue its voyage without sustaining heavy damage.
AD Ports Group had increased its stake in Global Feeder Shipping to 81% in June. Thus, three separate container ships associated with the group have been affected in the recent attacks.
Oil tanker ALFONSO also reported an attack.
The incidents targeting commercial vessels in the region were not limited to container shipping.
It was reported that the Barbados-flagged oil tanker ALFONSO, with a capacity of 38,842 DWT, was also attacked.
However, information regarding the damage status of the tanker and the safety of its crew has not yet been verified by independent sources.
Maritime authorities issued a warning.
The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority expressed serious concern over the attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, calling for adherence to international maritime law and the protection of seafarers' safety.
The Iranian Revolutionary Guards claimed that an unnamed container ship struck a naval mine while using an unauthorized route in the strait. However, this claim could not be independently verified. Singapore authorities reported that GFS PRIDE and GFS GISELLE were struck by unidentified munitions.
According to records from the International Maritime Organization, 113 maritime incidents have been confirmed since the onset of conflicts in the region at the end of February, resulting in the loss of 24 seafarers' lives.
Recent developments in the Strait of Hormuz have revealed that not only oil and LNG tankers but also container and bulk carriers have been affected by attacks.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
