Mayuree Naree Confirmed as Thai-Flagged Cargo Ship

Questions have emerged over the nationality of the cargo vessel Mayuree Naree after the ship was reportedly attacked by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) near the Strait of Hormuz, prompting debate over whether it is a Thai vessel or an Indian ship flying the Thai flag.

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The vessel came under scrutiny after reports indicated its owners have Indian heritage, leading some observers to question whether the ship was genuinely Thai or merely using Thailand’s flag as a form of disguise. The incident also raised concern for the crew, with reports noting three Thai sailors missing after the ship’s engine room was struck during the attack.

Available maritime registration records show that Mayuree Naree is legally registered under the Thai flag with Bangkok listed as its port of registry. Under international maritime law, a vessel’s nationality is determined by its flag state and official registration, regardless of the nationality of its owners or executives.

The ship is owned by Precious Shipping Public Company Limited (PSL), a company listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand with its headquarters on North Sathorn Road in Bangkok. PSL is one of Thailand’s largest dry bulk shipping companies.

The company was founded by business families of Indian heritage, including the Hashim and Shah families, who have operated businesses in Thailand for more than 50 years. Kirit Shah, chairman of the GP Group, and Khalid Moinuddin Hashim, managing director, are key figures behind the shipping enterprise.

Despite the founders’ backgrounds and the international nature of the business, PSL is a Thai-registered company that operates under Thai law and pays taxes in Thailand. Its vessels traditionally carry female names ending in “Naree”, a naming pattern that has become a distinctive feature of the fleet.

Technical data for Mayuree Naree identifies the vessel as a bulk carrier designed to access medium-sized ports. The ship carries the IMO number 9323649 and has a deadweight tonnage of approximately 30,192 tonnes.

The vessel was built in 2008 at Hindustan Shipyard in India and measures about 179 metres in length with a beam of around 28 metres. Although constructed in India, it has been registered in Thailand and has operated under the Thai flag.

The incident has also drawn attention to the structure of global shipping companies, where ownership, management and vessel registration can span multiple countries. In maritime law, the flag state remains the defining factor in determining a vessel’s nationality.

Picture courtesy of ThaiRath

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Adapted by ASEAN Now ThaiRath 12 Mar 2026

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