Cargo Ship Hit Near Strait of Hormuz, Evacuation Operation Suspended

LONDON (Terror Monitor) — The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) has reported an incident involving a commercial cargo vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, after it was struck by an unknown projectile, prompting the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to temporarily suspend an ongoing evacuation plan for more than 11,000 seafarers in the region.

According to UKMTO, the starboard side of a cargo ship was hit by an unidentified projectile north of Oman near the Strait of Hormuz, causing damage to the vessel’s bridge. The ship’s captain confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident.

British maritime authorities have launched an investigation into the attack and have advised vessels operating in the area to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious activity immediately.

Following the incident, the IMO said it has temporarily halted its evacuation operation for thousands of seafarers stranded in the region due to escalating maritime security risks.

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said that while several vessels had already been safely relocated, the operation would remain suspended until adequate security assurances are in place.

Maritime security firm Vanguard identified the vessel as the Singapore-flagged cargo ship Ever Lovely, which reportedly continued its passage through the Strait of Hormuz without requiring assistance after the attack.

According to MarineTraffic data, the vessel entered the Strait via the southern route on Thursday morning and later proceeded eastbound.

The IMO clarified that the vessel involved in the incident was not operating under its evacuation framework.

Tensions in the Gulf have remained high amid ongoing conflict involving the United States, Iran, and Israel, which has already disrupted shipping routes and left hundreds of vessels and thousands of seafarers stranded since February.

Iran has repeatedly stated that it intends to impose “maritime service fees” on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a position opposed by the United States and other Western nations.