UKMTO said a missile‑like projectile struck a container ship near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, setting a small section of the deck ablaze.
The strike came amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, with Tehran repeatedly firing at vessels it deems to be violating its maritime restrictions. Washington has retaliated with a counter‑blockade of Iranian ports, hoping to curb Tehran’s oil exports.
Crew members were unharmed, and fire‑fighting teams aboard the ship contained the blaze within hours, according to UKMTO’s briefing. The agency added that there was no detectable oil spill or environmental impact.
UKMTO’s spokesperson stated that the vessel remained on course, heading toward the next scheduled port of call in the Persian Gulf. The incident has prompted a review of security protocols for commercial shipping traversing the narrow strait.
Maritime analysts warn that the event underscores the risks to global oil supply chains, as a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas now passes through the Hormuz corridor amid the ongoing conflict.
The ship’s master is expected to file a detailed incident report with the International Maritime Organization by the end of the week, while officials in Tehran have pledged to investigate the source of the projectile.