Cargo Ship Catches Fire in Strait of Hormuz After Three Vessels Hit by Unknown Projectiles – Crew Evacuates, Three Missing
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3/11/2026 - Three commercial vessels were struck by unknown projectiles in and around the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, with one cargo ship catching fire and forcing most of its crew to evacuate.
The incidents, reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO)—a Royal Navy-sponsored monitoring agency—highlight the severe risks to global shipping in this vital chokepoint, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply normally transits. The strait has been effectively closed or severely restricted since early March due to the broader war, with prior attacks and Iranian threats contributing to over 150 vessels stranded or avoiding the route.
The most serious strike targeted the Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, owned by Bangkok-based Precious Shipping. Hit approximately 11 nautical miles north of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz, the vessel sustained damage from what reports describe as one or more unknown projectiles, igniting a fire in the engine compartment and stern area. The 23 crew members aboard abandoned ship amid the blaze, with 20 successfully rescued by responding authorities, including Omani forces. However, three crew members remain missing and are believed to have been trapped in the engine room during the incident.
UKMTO confirmed the fire was later extinguished, with a small skeleton crew remaining aboard as assessments continue. There has been no reported environmental impact so far.In separate but near-simultaneous incidents nearby:
A Japan-flagged container ship, identified in some reports as the One Majesty, sustained minor damage from an unknown projectile about 25 nautical miles northwest of the area.
A Greek-owned or Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier also reported hull damage from a similar strike, roughly 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai.
No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks, though they come against the backdrop of heightened tensions. The U.S. military recently reported eliminating 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strait, while Iran has previously threatened to target commercial shipping in retaliation for strikes on its territory. Maritime security firms and agencies continue to rate the operating environment as "highly hazardous," with attacks on commercial vessels assessed as likely.
The incidents follow a relative lull in reported ship strikes over the past few days but mark the latest in a series that has already disrupted global energy flows and driven oil prices higher. Authorities have urged vessels to exercise extreme caution, and ongoing monitoring is in place as rescue and investigation efforts proceed.
Shipping analysts warn that further disruptions could exacerbate supply chain pressures and energy market volatility worldwide. Updates from UKMTO and regional navies are expected as the situation develops.