Two Ships Sink Near Hormuz After Being Hit by Projectiles
LONDON: Two ships sink near Hormuz in the past 24 hours after being hit by projectiles in separate incidents, maritime officials said on Wednesday.
Attacks around the waterway have surged over the past 10 days. Iran says it is stepping up strikes in response to the US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions introduced last month.
Two ships sink near Hormuz: what happened to each vessel
The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride, a small container vessel with capacity for 2,824 twenty-foot equivalent units, sank while sailing through the strait, according to maritime security sources.
“GFS PRIDE sustained damage and a fire on board, and has since sunk. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated. No injuries have been reported,” Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the vessel had been sailing through the strait on Tuesday.
In a separate incident, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Cape Dao sank close to the strait, weeks after being struck by a projectile on September 23, data from the UN’s International Maritime Organization showed on Wednesday. One crew member was killed in that strike, and the rest of the crew were evacuated straight after it, maritime sources said.
The Cape Dao’s UAE-based manager, Peonies Shipmanagement FZE, could not be immediately reached for comment. The GFS Pride’s UAE-based manager, GFS Ship Management FZE, could also not be reached.
A sharp escalation in the shipping war
The GFS Pride and Cape Dao are the second and third vessels to have sunk since the US-Iran war began on February 28, according to an analysis of IMO casualty data. The sinkings mark a sharp escalation in a campaign that has put one of the world’s most important oil arteries under strain.
“MPA is deeply concerned about the continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” the Singapore authority said. “Such attacks are unprovoked, unjustifiable, and a breach of international law.”
What the Hormuz sinkings mean for Pakistan’s fuel prices
Nearly all of Pakistan’s crude and petroleum imports pass through or near the Strait of Hormuz, so any threat to shipping there feeds directly into fuel prices at home. Brent crude futures were trading around $106.56 a barrel this week as supply fears renewed.
Related: Oil Prices Climb Past $106 as Iran Deploys New Tanker Tactics in Hormuz
The spike follows weeks of disruption. Pakistan’s government raised the petrol price by Rs1.20 a litre from October 15, taking it to Rs393.86, after international prices firmed.
Related: Petrol Price in Pakistan Rises Rs1.20 to Rs393.86 a Litre from Oct 15
Rising tensions have already drawn Pakistan’s leadership into the fray. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar this week called Houthi attacks on Saudi targets “totally unacceptable” as the regional confrontation widened.
Related: Dar Calls Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia ‘Totally Unacceptable’
FAQs
Which ships sank near Hormuz?
The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride and the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier Cape Dao. Both sank after being hit by projectiles in separate incidents, the second and third vessels lost since the US-Iran war began on February 28.
Were there any casualties?
All 21 crew members of the GFS Pride were safely evacuated with no injuries reported. One crew member of the Cape Dao was killed in the projectile strike on September 23, before the vessel sank.
Why is Iran stepping up attacks on shipping?
Iran says it is responding to the US blockade of its ports and tougher sanctions introduced last month. Attacks around the strait have surged over the past 10 days, according to maritime officials.
How does this affect Pakistan?
Most of Pakistan’s petroleum imports move through waters near the strait. Higher war-risk and supply fears push Brent crude up, which passes through to petrol and diesel prices in Pakistan.
