There have been attacks on a vessel that flew Singapore’s flag in the Strait of Hormuz by drones, causing serious worry over maritime security in one of the most vital energy routes in the world amid a US-Iran deal that was intended to ensure shipping.
According to a report by CBS News, citing a US official, the attack was carried out by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, where the bridge of the vessel was damaged after being hit by the drone on the starboard side of the ship near Dahit, Oman. There were no casualties or environmental damage caused by this.
The latest development poses a major threat to the memorandum of understanding that was recently signed between the US and Iran.
Attack prompts international response
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre confirmed that a commercial vessel sustained damage in the incident but did not officially identify the source of the attack.
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Following the strike, the United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) temporarily suspended its recently introduced evacuation framework for vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf, according to CBS News
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the suspension was necessary to reassess security guarantees for commercial shipping.
"I have always reiterated that the safety of the seafarers remains paramount," Dominguez said in a statement, adding that the evacuation mechanism would remain paused until further clarity emerged regarding navigational safety.
The IMO clarified that the damaged vessel had already exited the Strait of Hormuz and was not operating under its evacuation framework when the attack occurred.
Shipping traffic had begun recovering
The drone strike comes at a time when commercial activity through the Strait of Hormuz had begun showing signs of recovery following the US-Iran agreement.
Under the memorandum signed last week, Iran had agreed to facilitate toll-free safe passage through the waterway for a period of 60 days using its "best efforts."
According to shipping analytics firm Kpler, vessel movement through the Strait had increased significantly in recent days. Around 70 vessels transited the waterway on Tuesday, compared to just six vessels a week earlier.
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Analysts attributed part of the increase to delayed commercial traffic returning after the agreement eased immediate security concerns.
Strait of Hormuz is still one of the most strategically important passages around the world which carries almost one fifth of global oil supply. A disruption in the passage of ships through the corridor often has effects on the global energy market.
Although the oil price had gone down in the recent days owing to the revival of shipping, it seems that the latest incident is likely to raise the issue regarding the safety of shipping in the region.
FAQs
Q1. What happened to the Singapore flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz?
As reported citing American sources, the ship had been hit by a drone in the proximity of Oman and was damaged in its bridge with no casualties and pollution occurred.
Q2. Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical shipping routes, carrying nearly 20 per cent of global oil supplies and serving as a vital corridor for international trade and energy markets.
