HMM Tows Fire-Stricken Ship to Dubai

Probe into explosion and fire starts after arrival, possibly May 7

The HMM NAMU (Photo=HMM)

The vessel HMM NAMU, which experienced an explosion and fire near the Strait of Hormuz, will be towed to Dubai on the 6th. An investigation into the cause of the fire is scheduled to begin after the towing is completed, as early as May 7 2026.

According to HMM, the HMM NAMU, which caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz on the afternoon of May 4th, will be towed to the port of Dubai starting this afternoon (the 6th). It is expected to arrive in Dubai as early as the afternoon of the 7th or the dawn of the 8th. After the towing is complete, a full-scale investigation into the cause of the fire is expected to commence.

An HMM official stated, “We have secured a tugboat, and while the schedule is not yet fixed due to several variables, if work begins late this afternoon (the 6th), it is expected to arrive in Dubai as early as tomorrow night or the dawn of the day after tomorrow.”

Personnel from the Dubai branch of the Korean Register of Shipping, investigators from the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal, and forensic experts from the National Fire Agency are planned to participate in the investigation.

The HMM NAMU is a Panamanian-flagged vessel operated by HMM. Around 8:40 PM on the 4th (Korea Standard Time), an explosion and fire occurred near the Strait of Hormuz. It has been confirmed that all 24 crew members on board, including 6 South Korean nationals, were unharmed.

Jung Suk-yee