Two ships sink near Hormuz after being hit by projectiles

Two ships, a container vessel and a dry bulk carrier, sunk near the Strait of Hormuz over the past 24 hours following separate attacks by projectiles, according to maritime officials. Over the past 10 days, the number of attacks in the waterway has increased, with Iran claiming to be escalating strikes in response to the US blockade of its ports and the introduction of tougher sanctions last month.

The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride, a container ship with a capacity of 2,824 TEU, sank while sailing through the strait, with all 21 crew members safely evacuated after sustaining damage and a fire onboard. The Cape Dao, a ship flagged by Antigua and Barbuda, sank near the strait after being struck by a projectile on September 23, resulting in the death of one crew member and the evacuation of the rest after the strike.

This marks the second and third vessels to sink since the US-Iran war began on February 28, according to an analysis of IMO casualty data. The Singapore Maritime and Port Authority expressed deep concern over the continued attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, deeming them unprovoked, unjustifiable, and a breach of international law.

MARISKS, a maritime risk management company, stated that the threat to commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz remains, with container vessels and bulk carriers also sustaining serious damage. Iran is reportedly deploying new tactics against vessels transiting the strait to keep oil prices elevated and influence the US midterm elections, according to senior Iranian officials.