Thai Cargo Ship Catches Fire While Transiting Hormuz Strait

A Thai-flagged cargo vessel, Mayuree Naree, was seen engulfed in black smoke whilst transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, 11 March 2026. At least three ships were reported struck by unknown projectiles in the strategically important shipping lane.

Maritime security and risk management firms have identified this incident as adding to a growing list of attacks on vessels since tensions with Iran escalated. With this latest incident, the number of ships targeted in the region has reached at least fourteen since the Iran conflict began.

The attacks have triggered considerable concern regarding the safety of maritime traffic in one of the world’s most critical energy trade routes. Vessels continue to transit through waters near the Strait of Hormuz, as observed from the northern region of Ras al-Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, which borders the Musandam Province in Oman.

An LPG tanker vessel was observed stationary due to reduced shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz amid the US–Israel–Iran conflict near Shinas, Oman. Shipping activity in the narrow waterway has been reported as nearly halted since the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran on 28 February, thereby obstructing the export of approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies that typically transit through this strategic strait.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guards previously warned that any vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz could potentially become a target. Meanwhile, United States President Donald Trump has threatened to escalate attacks against Iran if Tehran continues to obstruct the shipping route in the region.