Five vessels attacked in Gulf, Strait of Hormuz as war puts merchant ships on front lines
Five commercial vessels, including two fuel tankers, were attacked in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, with Iranian explosive-laden boats suspected in incidents that left one crew member dead and ships ablaze amidst escalating regional conflict.
On March 11, 2026, during the 12th day of the U.S.-Israeli Operation Epic Fury against Iran, multiple commercial vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz region. According to verified reports from UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), at least three commercial ships were struck by "unknown projectiles" or unmanned surface vessels. The primary incident involved the Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree (also reported as Mari Nari), which was hit by a projectile at the stern, causing an engine room fire. Three crew members were reported missing and presumed dead from this vessel, which had a total crew of 23. The crew evacuated after requesting assistance, and the fire was later extinguished. Additional vessels damaged included the container ship OE Majesty and bulk carrier Star Gwenneth, with another cargo vessel hit approximately 93 kilometers northwest of Dubai.
The attacks occurred in the context of escalating tensions following U.S. military actions on March 10 that destroyed more than a dozen Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strait. Iranian forces, particularly the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), have intensified operations in the strategic waterway as economic retaliation. The Strait of Hormuz normally carries approximately 20% of global oil supplies, but traffic has dropped dramatically by about 70% since the conflict began, with only around 13 daily transits compared to 153 before hostilities. The United Nations International Maritime Organization has reported at least seven seafarer fatalities in the region since the conflict escalated.
While the initial summary mentioned five vessels attacked with one crew member dead, verified sources indicate three confirmed attacks on March 11 with three crew members missing from the Mayuree Naree. The attacks appear to be part of a broader pattern of maritime aggression in the region, with UKMTO logging 17 incidents (13 attacks and 4 suspicious activities) in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Gulf of Oman since Operation Epic Fury began on February 28, 2026. The situation remains fluid as of March 12, 2026, with shipping largely halted through the critical chokepoint.
No specific Philippine news sources (GMA, ABS-CBN, Inquirer, Philstar) have reported on these incidents involving Filipino seafarers as of the available search results. However, given that approximately 10% of global seafarers are Filipino, the attacks have significant implications for the Philippine maritime industry. The conflict represents a serious escalation in the region, with merchant ships effectively becoming front lines in the broader geopolitical confrontation between Iran and U.S.-Israeli forces.
Join the discussion
What do you think? Drop your thoughts below.