Two commercial ships sink near Strait of Hormuz amid surge in attacks

The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride sank after being struck while passing through the strait on Oct. 13, Reuters reported, citing maritime security sources and Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority.

The strike caused damage and a fire aboard the vessel. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported.

In a separate incident, the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier Cape Dao sank near the strait on Oct. 14, weeks after being struck by a projectile on Sept. 23. One crew member was killed in the original attack, while the others were evacuated.

According to Reuters' analysis of International Maritime Organization casualty data, the two vessels are the second and third ships to sink since the US-Iran war began on Feb. 28. The first, the Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige, was struck in March and subsequently sank.

Singapore's maritime authority condemned the attacks on commercial shipping as "unprovoked, unjustifiable, and a breach of international law."

Attacks on vessels in and around the Strait of Hormuz have surged over the past 10 days. Iran says it is intensifying strikes in response to the US blockade of its ports and sanctions introduced in September.

Before the war, approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through the strait, making disruption there a major concern for international energy markets.

Reuters also reported, citing two senior Iranian officials, that Tehran has been adopting new tactics against shipping in an effort to keep oil prices elevated and influence the US midterm elections.

Although oil tankers have been a primary focus of attacks, container ships and bulk carriers have also been struck, damaged or sunk.

The latest sinkings underscore the continuing risks to commercial shipping in one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints.