S'pore-flagged ship transiting Strait of Hormuz struck by 'unknown projectile', continues sailing through Strait

A Singapore-flagged cargo ship, the Ever Lovely, was reportedly struck by an unknown projectile while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Jun. 25.

Unknown projectile

The BBC reports that the Ever Lovely was struck by an unknown projectile on its starboard side which caused damage to its bridge while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the United Kingdom's Maritime Trade Operations Security Agency, the incident occurred 14 kilometres southeast of Dahit, Oman.

However, the master of the container ship reported no casualties and no environmental impact, and the BBC reports that the vessel continued through the strait after the attack.

Prior to the war in Iran, there had been an accepted transit route through the Strait.

But in recent months, both Oman and Iran have demarcated separate routes with Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority warning that “any consequences arising from the use of unauthorised routes shall be the responsibility of the vessel's owner, charterer, and master.”

Safe passage

The Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed during the Iran conflict, with an estimated 11,000 sailors stranded in the strait.

On Jun. 17, the U.S. and Iran signed a 14-point deal to end hostilities, which called on Iran to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels with no charge for 60 days.

A UN-led evacuation effort was announced on June 23, but was paused after the news of the attack spread.

Arsenio Dominguez, the head of the UN's International Maritime Organization, which is coordinating the evacuation effort, said that the Ever Lovely did not transit under the IMO's evacuation framework.

The BBC quoted him as saying that in order to ensure a coordinated approach and navigational safety, the evacuation plan will be paused until further clarity is obtained.

During the Iran war, Iran was reportedly charging a toll of up to US$2 million (S$2.6 million) to ensure safe passage through the strait.

The ceasefire deal that it agreed to would mean that it will not charge that toll, but Iran is reportedly considering charging maritime service fees instead.

The relative calm in the Strait of Hormuz allowed the price of oil to fall below US$72.48, which was the price it was at before the start of the war on February 28.