Cargo Ship Catches Fire in Strait of Hormuz After Three Vessels Struck by Unknown Projectiles

A commercial cargo ship was set ablaze in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11, 2026, following a series of attacks by unidentified projectiles on three different vessels in the strategic shipping corridor.

The incident occurred amid an ongoing regional conflict that has heightened tensions across the Gulf region.

The Thai‑flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was struck by unknown projectiles around 11 nautical miles north of Oman, causing a fire onboard and significant damage to its engine compartment. The fire prompted a crew evacuation, and 20 sailors were rescued by the Omani navy and taken ashore for safety. Three crew members remain missing and are believed to be trapped in the engine area, according to maritime sources. The blaze was later brought under control, and a minimal number of crew were reported to have stayed on the vessel to manage the situation.

In addition to the Mayuree Naree, two other commercial vessels were hit by unexplained projectiles in the same stretch of water. A Japan‑flagged container ship, One Majesty, suffered minor above‑waterline damage while anchored off Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, but its crew remained safe and continued to a secure anchorage. Likewise, the Marshall Islands‑flagged Star Gwyneth bulk carrier received hull damage in waters northwest of Dubai; no injuries were reported and its crew was unharmed.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency has recorded the spike in attacks on commercial vessels since the conflict escalated, raising alarm over maritime security in the Strait — a key global trade route through which roughly 20 % of the world’s oil and gas supplies transit. Shipping traffic in the corridor has sharply declined due to the increased danger, fueling concerns about disruptions to global energy markets.

Efforts by maritime authorities continue to monitor the situation and warn vessels operating in the region to exercise heightened vigilance amid the attacks, which have underscored the growing risks to civilian shipping amid broader geopolitical tensions.