A Thai‑flagged bulk carrier was struck by Iranian missiles near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, with 20 Thai crew rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman and three still on board, according to the Royal Thai Navy.
The Mayuree Naree (IMO 9323649), operated by SET-listed Precious Shipping Plc, departed Khalifa Port in the United Arab Emirates, en route to the port of Kandla in Gujarat, India. It came under attack at about 11.10am Thailand time after transiting the strait, the navy’s Maritime Traffic and Vessel Control Centre said.
Two projectiles hit above the waterline, triggering explosions at the stern and in the engine room and igniting a blaze.
The strikes damaged the vessel's engine room and caused a fire. The three crew members still on board were believed to be trapped in the engine room, Precious Shipping said.
All 23 crew on board were Thai nationals. Twenty abandoned ship in liferafts and were brought ashore safely at Khasab in Oman. Omani naval units were working to assist the remaining three crew members, the Thai navy said.
“The specific details and cause of the attack are currently under investigation,” it added.
The Thailand-flagged carrier was among three vessels hit by projectiles in or near the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies and sources said on Wednesday. The Thai vessel was reported to have suffered the heaviest damage among those struck.
Iran claims responsibility
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) later on Wednesday claimed responsibility for two of the attacks.
“The Israeli-owned Express Rome ship, flying the Liberian flag, and the container ship Mayuree Naree, were hit by Iranian projectiles and stopped after ignoring the warnings of the IRGC naval forces,” the Guards said in a statement carried by Iran’s ISNA news agency.
Guards navy commander Alireza Tangsiri said in a post on X that “any vessel intending to pass must get permission from Iran”.
The incidents come amid heightened instability in the region. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint for global energy exports — has slowed sharply since US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran triggered retaliatory actions targeting shipping and regional infrastructure.
Maritime security firms cited by Reuters say at least 14 vessels have been struck in the region since the Iran-related conflict escalated in late February. (Story continues below)
(Photos: Office of the Navy Spokesperson Facebook Page)
The Thai navy said it was coordinating through the Combined Maritime Forces headquarters in Bahrain, liaising with Thai embassies in Bahrain, the UAE and Oman, and working with the UK Maritime Trade Operations to support search‑and‑rescue efforts for the Mayuree Naree crew.
The navy said it is also working with the Consular Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Marine Department and the Thai Maritime Enforcement Command Centre to assist all 23 crew and arrange their safe return to Thailand.
In a statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Wednesday, Precious Shipping said the Mayuree Naree was covered by war risk insurance. As such, the company does not expect the incident to have a material financial impact.
There was no loss of cargo as the vessel was sailing in ballast, it said.
“The company continues to closely monitor the security situation in high-risk areas and will review its navigational risk management procedures as appropriate,” the statement added.
The location where the Mayuree Naree was struck (MarineTraffic.com)
