Three Ships Attacked in Strait of Hormuz Amid Escalating Tensions

On March 11, 2026, a series of maritime attacks in the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Arabian Gulf significantly escalated tensions in one of the world's most critical shipping arteries. Three commercial vessels were reportedly struck by unknown projectiles within hours, with one sustaining a fire and crew evacuation. The first incident involved the Thai-flagged bulk carrier *Mayuree Naree*, owned by Bangkok-headquartered Precious Shipping. It was hit by an unknown projectile approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz. The strike caused a fire onboard, prompting the crew to evacuate the vessel and request assistance. The Royal Thai Navy confirmed that 20 crew members were rescued by the Omani navy, while initial reports indicated three were unaccounted for; the fire was later extinguished, and a skeleton crew remained on board. Significantly, the *Mayuree Naree* had departed Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates and was en route to Kandla port in Gujarat, India, highlighting the direct relevance of these attacks to India's maritime interests and energy supply chains. Shortly after, two other vessels were reported to have been struck. The Japanese-flagged container ship *ONE Majesty*, operated by Ocean Network Express (ONE) and owned by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), sustained minor damage from a projectile approximately 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates. Reports indicated a 10 cm hole in the vessel, which was subsequently rerouted towards a safe anchorage. All crew members of the *ONE Majesty* were confirmed safe and accounted for. The third vessel affected was the Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier *Star Gwyneth*, part of the fleet of Greek shipowner Star Bulk. It was hit by an unknown projectile about 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed this incident, reporting that the crew was safe and well, and there was no environmental impact. These attacks on March 11, 2026, are part of a broader escalation in maritime insecurity in the Middle East, particularly since February 28, 2026. This period marks the beginning of a significant regional conflict involving joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions by Iran, including missile and drone attacks on various targets across the Gulf region. Iran had previously threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint through which about 20% of the world's daily oil supply and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) transit. The ongoing hostilities have led to a sharp decline in maritime traffic through the Strait, with tanker traffic dropping by approximately 70% and hundreds of ships anchoring outside the strait to mitigate risks. This disruption has profoundly impacted global energy markets, with Brent crude oil prices surging past $100 per barrel on March 8, 2026, for the first time in four years, reaching a peak of US$126 per barrel. The incidents underscore the fragile nature of global energy security and supply chains in the face of geopolitical instability in the Middle East. The international community, including naval forces from France, the UK, Germany, and Italy, has initiated escort missions like Operation Aspides to support merchant shipping in the strait. Authorities, including the UKMTO and Royal Thai Navy, have launched investigations into the specific details and causes of these latest attacks, advising vessels transiting the area to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious activity. The attacks represent a serious threat to the freedom of navigation and the global economy, particularly for countries like India that rely heavily on maritime trade through this strategic waterway.

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