Three cargo vessels hit in Strait of Hormuz, Thai ship suffers worst damage
Three cargo vessels were struck by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, with Thailand-linked bulk carrier Mayuree Naree badly damaged and set ablaze
Security fears in one of the world’s most important shipping lanes intensified on Wednesday (March 11, 2026) after at least three merchant vessels were hit within a short period in and around the Strait of Hormuz, in waters off Oman and the United Arab Emirates. Maritime agencies and security sources said the ships were struck by projectiles of an as yet unidentified type.
The most serious incident involved the bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, which Reuters identified as Thailand-flagged, while Thai and regional reporting described it as Thai-owned or Thailand-linked. The vessel was struck about 11 nautical miles north of Oman, and the impact triggered a fire on board.
According to Reuters and other shipping reports, most of the crew were evacuated from the vessel after the attack, while some remained on board to help manage the situation. Thai reporting cited the Royal Thai Navy as saying 20 crew members had been rescued and taken to Oman, while three were unaccounted for.
The other two vessels struck were the One Majesty, a Japan-flagged container ship, and the Star Gwyneth, a Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier. Both suffered partial damage, but maritime security sources said their crews were safe and there were no immediate reports of casualties.
Reuters said One Majesty sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile about 25 nautical miles north-west of Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE and was heading towards a safe anchorage. Star Gwyneth was also reported hit by an unknown projectile, with damage to the hull.
The attacks have deepened alarm over maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint that normally carries about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas flows. Shipping traffic through the strait has already fallen sharply since the conflict in the region intensified.
The identity of the attackers and the exact cause of the strikes remain under investigation. Maritime agencies have urged commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz and nearby waters to maintain the highest level of vigilance and report any suspicious activity immediately. Reuters has reported similar UKMTO alerts in recent incidents involving unknown projectiles in the area.
