Free Republic

A French-owned container ship was “struck by an unknown projectile” in the Strait of Hormuz overnight, causing damage to the vessel and injuring crew members, the owner has confirmed. Container ship San Antonio was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday night while transiting the Strait of Hormuz eastward — out of the Gulf and towards India — triggering an evacuation operation to get crew injured in the attack to medical care. The ship, which is owned by French Marseille-headquartered maritime transport group Compagnie maritime d’affrètement – Compagnie générale maritime (Maritime Freighting Company – General Maritime Company, CMA CGM)...

"UKMTO has received a report of an incident 15NM northeast of Oman," an alert read. "The Master of a Container Ship reported that the vessel was approached by 1 IRGC gun boat, no VHF challenge that then fired upon the vessel which has caused heavy damage to the bridge. No fires or environmental impact reported. All Crew reported safe." Between the start of the war and Sunday, April 20, a total of 33 reports of incidents affecting vessels operating in and around the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz (SOH), and Gulf of Oman were received. .....

UK warns of rising military threats in Gulf waters as US authorizes evacuation of embassy staff in Iraq, Bahrain and Kuwait amid fears of imminent escalation with Iran. Tensions are mounting across the Middle East amid the reported nearing conclusion of nuclear negotiations, prompting a wave of security alerts and diplomatic movements. The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), a British maritime security agency, issued an unusual warning Wednesday, citing “increasing regional tension” that could escalate military activity and pose direct threats to seafarers in the Persian Gulf and surrounding waters. Shortly after the UKMTO alert, Reuters reported that the United...

Three fires have been observed on board a Greek-flagged oil tanker in the Red Sea, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said on Friday, one day after it was evacuated by its crew after being attacked by Yemeni Houthi militants.