Container ship sinks near Hormuz after being hit by projectile, sources say

LONDON: A container ship has sunk near the Strait of Hormuz after being hit by a projectile, while a separate dry bulk carrier damaged in an earlier attack is also reported to be sinking, maritime security sources said on Wednesday.

The Singapore-flagged GFS Pride container ship, with a small 2,824 TEU (20-ft equivalent unit) capacity, had sunk, the sources said.

“Commercial vessel ‘GFS PRIDE’ reported sunk with floating containers … mariners cautioned,” the Hydrographer of Pakistan said in a navigational warning to ships dated October 14.

The vessel’s United Arab Emirates-based manager GFS Ship Management FZE could not be immediately reached for comment.

The loss of the GFS Pride marks the second vessel to sink since the US-Iran war began on February 28, according to data from UN shipping agency, the International Maritime Organization.

Shipping traffic via Strait of Hormuz stays lower than 10-day average, data shows

In a separate incident, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged Cape Dao was reported to be sinking close to the strait after being struck by a projectile on September 23, the sources added.

The vessel’s UAE-based manager Peonies Shipmanagement FZE could not be immediately reached for comment.

“The Antigua & Barbuda flagged bulk carrier CAPE DAO, originally hit on the 23 September, is reported to be sinking after an unsuccessful rescue attempt,” British maritime risk management group Vanguard said in a note on Wednesday.

Iran is deploying new tactics to target ships sailing through the Strait of Hormuz as it seeks to keep oil prices high and influence the US midterm elections, two senior Iranian officials told Reuters.