Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, near the border with Oman’s Musandam governance, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in United Arab Emirates, March 11. [REUTERS/YONHAP]
A Korean cargo vessel sustained damage from a suspected attack in waters near the Strait of Hormuz, the government said Monday night, adding no casualties were confirmed.
The explosion occurred at around 8:40 p.m. Korea time aboard the HMM Namu, a Panama-flagged general cargo ship operated by Korean shipping company HMM, which was anchored outside the port limits of the United Arab Emirates's (UAE) Umm Al Quwain in waters just within the Hormuz area, according to Seoul's government officials.
The ship was carrying six Korean nationals and 18 foreign crew members.
"The cause of the explosion and fire, as well as the specific extent of the damage, are currently being investigated," the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, adding that "no casualties have been confirmed."
The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries also confirmed such reports.
HMM said that emergency procedures are underway.
"A loud explosion was heard in the port-side engine room, and the crew is currently engaged in fire suppression," an HMM spokesperson told the JoongAng Ilbo Monday.
The company said it has not yet determined whether the damage was caused by an "external impact or an internal mechanical failure," and that its domestic situation room remains in constant contact with the ship.
The Korea Coast Guard has notified maritime rescue agencies in Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE and Oman, requesting emergency assistance if needed.
If confirmed as an attack, this would mark the first strike on a Korean-flagged vessel since the Strait of Hormuz was effectively shut down in late February following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran that triggered the crisis in the Middle East.
Ships and boats in the Strait of Hormuz, Musandam, Oman, April 29. [REUTERS/YONHAP]
Currently, 26 Korean-flagged ships remain stranded in the strait, a global oil chokepoint.
The incident comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced "Project Freedom," an operation aimed at escorting third-country vessels out of the blockaded zone. Despite the initiative, the damage to a civilian cargo ship suggests non-military vessels remain at risk. Some observers have speculated the HMM Namu may have been struck by a drone.
The attack follows a phone conversation Saturday between Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, in which Cho called for the resumption of safe navigation through the strait. It was the third such conversation between the two ministers since the conflict began in late February.
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