Thai-Flagged Cargo Ship Hit Near Hormuz As Crew Forced To Abandon Vessel is on fire

A Thai-flagged cargo ship has been struck by a projectile near the vital shipping lane of the Strait of Hormuz, forcing its entire crew to abandon the vessel after a fire broke out in the engine room.

Early reports from Thai media including Khaosod said the ship had recently departed the United Arab Emirates and was heading into the Arabian Sea when it came under attack shortly after passing through the narrow but strategically critical waterway.

Engine Room Hit As Fire Breaks Out

According to initial reports, the projectile struck the rear section of the ship, heavily damaging the engine room and sparking a fire on board.

The damage left the vessel unable to manoeuvre, forcing the crew to declare an emergency and abandon ship.

A total of 23 crew members evacuated the vessel as a precaution while maritime authorities in the region were alerted and rescue assistance requested.

At this stage, officials have not confirmed who fired the weapon or what type of projectile struck the vessel.

Possible Identification Of The Ship

International shipping sources cited by Reuters suggest the vessel may be the bulk carrier Mayuree Naree, operated by Bangkok-based shipping firm Precious Shipping.

However, authorities have yet to officially confirm the identity of the vessel.

Investigations are continuing as maritime security agencies work to determine the circumstances of the strike.

Strategic Shipping Route Under Pressure

The attack comes amid rising tensions across the Middle East and growing concern over the safety of commercial shipping operating near the Strait of Hormuz.

The narrow passage between Iran and Oman is one of the most important maritime choke points in the world.

Roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments pass through the strait each day, making it a critical artery for international trade and energy supplies.

Any attack on commercial vessels in the area immediately raises fears of wider disruption to global shipping.

Maritime Security Alert

Security agencies have warned vessels operating in the region to remain on high alert as military tensions continue to escalate across the Gulf.

For now, the fate of the damaged vessel remains unclear, while investigators attempt to determine who was responsible for the strike.

The incident adds to mounting concerns that commercial shipping could increasingly become caught in the crossfire of the region’s deepening geopolitical crisis.

SOURCE

3 Now Reported Missing After Cargo Ship Blast

Pictures courtesy of Khaosod

Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Transport MinisterPhiphat Ratchakitprakarn has ordered urgent monitoring of the situation after a Thai-flagged cargo ship was damaged by an explosion while passing through the Strait of Hormuz on 11 March 2026. Authorities are searching for three missing crew members believed to have been working in the engine room at the time of the incident.

The vessel, Mayuree Naree, a 19,891-gross-ton bulk carrier registered in Thailand, belongs to Precious Shipping Public Company Limited. According to the Marine Department, the explosion occurred at about 11:00am Thailand time near the stern while the ship was sailing after departing an anchorage off the United Arab Emirates.

A fire broke out in the engine room following the blast, forcing the captain to order the crew to abandon ship. The crew members evacuated using lifeboats and were rescued by naval forces from Oman.

Rescuers successfully brought 20 crew members ashore at the port city of Khasab, where they were reported safe. However, three crew members are still unaccounted for and are believed to have been inside the engine room during their watch shift when the explosion occurred.

Precious Shipping confirmed the rescue of 20 crew members and said the search for the remaining three was ongoing. Thailand’s Marine Department has since coordinated with several international and domestic agencies to support rescue operations.

Officials have dispatched representatives to the ReCAAP Information Sharing Centre in Singapore and contacted the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations to help liaise with naval forces in the region. The Royal Thai Navy has also been instructed to coordinate with military authorities in Bahrain for additional assistance.

Further coordination is underway with Thailand’s Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Center and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand to support diplomatic and rescue efforts.

Speaking before a meeting of Thailand’s Middle East conflict monitoring centre, Phiphat said Prime Minister AnutinCharnvirakulhad already been briefed about the incident. He added that authorities have not yet confirmed whether the blast was caused by gunfire or a sea mine.

Phiphat noted that the ship had been anchored near the UAE before being instructed by port authorities to move about 20 kilometres offshore shortly before the explosion. He said intelligence information was still unclear about the incident and that military forces patrolling the area had assisted with the rescue.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapasconfirmed that the rescue of the Thai crew was the government’s immediate priority. He said the full details of the incident would be presented after the official briefing scheduled for 12 March.

Authorities will continue searching for the three missing crew members while monitoring security risks for Thai vessels operating in the region. The government is also expected to assess whether additional safety measures are needed for ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz.

https://aseannow.com/topic/1389377-thai-flagged-cargo-ship-abandoned-after-attack-near-strait-of-hormuz/#findComment-20414910

  Adapted by ASEAN Now Khaosod 11.03 2026

That ship was unladen, looking at the waterline. What on earth were they doing trying to do the Hormuz run in an empty ship? Big bonuese offered? Ship was sailing in broad daylight to India.