A Thai cargo ship was attacked while sailing through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, forcing an emergency rescue operation that saved most of the vessel’s crew.
According to Thailand’s navy, the cargo ship Mayuree Naree, owned by Precious Shipping PCL, was struck around 11 a.m. local time while traveling through the narrow shipping corridor linking the Persian Gulf with global trade routes.
The ship had departed earlier that day from a port in Khalifa Port. After the strike, a fire broke out on board the vessel.
The Royal Thai Navy quickly coordinated rescue efforts with regional authorities. The Royal Navy of Oman recovered 20 Thai crew members from the ship and transported them safely to the city of Khasab.
Search efforts are still underway for the remaining three crew members, officials said. Investigators have not yet confirmed what caused the attack.
Rising Tensions in the Gulf
The incident comes amid escalating conflict across the Gulf region tied to the ongoing confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Officials and analysts say Iranian retaliatory strikes have increasingly targeted shipping routes and energy infrastructure throughout the Gulf. In recent attacks, drones reportedly fell near Dubai International Airport, injuring four people.
Maritime authorities have also reported multiple vessels struck by projectiles near the coasts of the United Arab Emirates and Oman. One of the affected ships caught fire but was later stabilized.
At the same time, regional defense systems have intercepted several aerial threats. Saudi Arabia reported shooting down drones aimed at its Shaybah oil field and intercepting ballistic missiles targeting its eastern region and Prince Sultan Air Base.
Global Energy at Risk
The growing wave of attacks has raised alarm across global energy markets because of the importance of the Strait of Hormuz. Nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply moves through the narrow passage each day.
Key energy facilities in the region have also come under fire, including Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura Refinery and the Ruwais Refinery, two of the largest oil processing sites in the Gulf.
Energy companies have already begun responding to the instability. QatarEnergy halted liquefied natural gas production and declared force majeure, while energy producers in Kuwait warned they may struggle to meet export commitments.
Analysts say that continued attacks on ships and oil facilities could disrupt global energy supplies, increase market volatility, and further escalate tensions across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, the search for the missing crew members from the Mayuree Naree continues as investigators work to determine exactly what caused the attack.