Singapore-flagged container ship sinks near Hormuz after being hit by projectile

A Singapore-flagged container ship, the GFS Pride, has sunk in the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by an unidentified projectile that caused damage and sparked a fire onboard, according to Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA).

All 21 crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. In a separate incident, another Singapore-registered container ship, the GFS Giselle, was also struck by an unknown projectile, sustaining hull damage before reaching a safe anchorage under its own power. All 22 crew members aboard that vessel were reported safe.

Singapore’s maritime authority condemned the attacks and called for international shipping to be protected in accordance with international law.

The latest incident ​comes amid a sharp escalation in threats to commercial shipping in and around the Strait of Hormuz, through which ​about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed before the war.

Tehran has sought to tighten its grip on ‌the ⁠waterway since U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, restricting transit in an effort to gain leverage over Washington.

The United States, meanwhile, has imposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports and expanded sanctions to intensify economic pressure on Tehran.