Second commercial vessel sinks near Strait of Hormuz within 24 hours

An Antigua and Barbuda-flagged bulk carrier has sunk near the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by a projectile last month, according to information from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), marking the second reported sinking of a commercial vessel in the area within 24 hours.

The vessel, Cape Daw, was attacked on September 23 and subsequently sank following an unsuccessful salvage operation, Reuters reported on Wednesday.

British maritime risk management firm Vanguard Group said in a statement: “The bulk carrier Cape Daw, which flies the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and was attacked on 23rd September, is reported to have sunk following a failed salvage attempt.”

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The reported sinking came less than 24 hours after the loss of the Singapore-flagged vessel GFS Pride, which was also struck by a projectile in a separate incident.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) confirmed that GFS Pride had sustained damage, caught fire and subsequently sank while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday.

“The vessel GFS Pride sustained damage, caught fire, and subsequently sank. All 21 crew members were safely evacuated, and no injuries have been reported,” the authority said.

The MPA expressed concern about the security situation in the waterway, stating that it was “deeply concerned about the ongoing attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.”

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