Tehran: Two commercial ships have sunk in separate incidents near the Strait of Hormuz, while another Singapore registered container ship has sustained damage in an attack, raising fresh concerns about the safety of international shipping in the region.
The Singapore registered container ship GFS Pride sank after being struck by an unidentified projectile and catching fire. Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority confirmed that all 21 crew members were safely evacuated. No injuries were reported, and no Singaporean citizens were aboard the vessel.
The sinking was recorded on October 13. The incident adds to a growing number of maritime security concerns in the Middle East, where commercial vessels have faced attacks and damage during the ongoing regional conflict.
In a separate incident, the Antigua and Barbuda flagged dry bulk carrier Cape Dao also sank after being damaged in an earlier attack. The vessel was struck by a projectile on September 23, killing one crew member. The remaining crew members were evacuated following the incident. The ship subsequently sank, according to updated maritime casualty information reported on October 14.
Another Singapore registered container ship, GFS Giselle, was struck by an unidentified projectile on October 14. Singapore's maritime authorities confirmed that the vessel sustained damage to its hull but managed to reach a safe anchorage under its own power.
All 22 crew members aboard GFS Giselle were reported safe, and no injuries were recorded. The incident highlights the continuing risks faced by commercial vessels travelling through the region.
Singapore's Maritime and Port Authority condemned the attacks on its registered vessels, describing them as unjustifiable and a breach of international law. The authority also confirmed the safe evacuation of the affected crews and provided updates on the condition of the ships.
However, the identities of those responsible for the attacks have not been established. Authorities have described the weapon that struck the Singapore registered vessels as an unidentified projectile. The circumstances surrounding each incident remain subject to further clarification.
Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps navy separately claimed that a cargo ship had sunk after striking a naval mine while travelling along what it described as an illegal and dangerous route.
It remains unclear whether the Iranian statement referred to GFS Pride or another vessel. The claim has not been independently established as the cause of the Singapore flagged ship's sinking.
The latest incidents form part of a wider pattern of threats to commercial shipping in the Middle East. By October 14, the International Maritime Organization had recorded 113 confirmed maritime incidents across the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East maritime region.
These incidents include attacks and damage involving different types of commercial vessels, including tankers, gas carriers, container ships and bulk carriers. The figure covers a range of maritime incidents and does not mean that 113 ships have sunk.
The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the wider Indian Ocean. It is one of the world's most important routes for transporting oil, liquefied natural gas and other goods.
Before the current conflict, approximately one fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade passed through the waterway. Disruptions to shipping can affect energy supplies, transport costs and international trade, making security in the region a major concern for governments and shipping companies.
The maritime security situation has deteriorated since the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran began on February 28, 2026. The conflict has increased uncertainty for commercial shipping, with Iran seeking greater control over movements through the waterway and the United States maintaining pressure on Iranian ports.
The United Nations has called for freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz to be restored and urged the parties involved to exercise restraint and pursue diplomatic solutions. These calls reflect wider international concerns about the impact of the conflict on maritime safety and global trade.
The latest incidents have renewed attention on the safety of seafarers and the protection of commercial vessels travelling through the Strait of Hormuz. Although the crews of GFS Pride and GFS Giselle escaped without injuries, the death of a crew member aboard Cape Dao underlines the human cost of attacks on civilian shipping.
With responsibility for the latest attacks still unclear, the security of one of the world's most important maritime routes remains a serious concern for the international shipping industry.