A bulk carrier operated by Greek shipowner Petros Pappas’ Star Bulk Carriers was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, becoming one of three commercial vessels targeted in separate incidents, raising security concerns along a critical global shipping route. The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the region and follows reports of attacks on multiple tankers and Iranian naval assets in recent days.
The Star Gwyneth, an 83,000-deadweight-ton bulker built in 2006 and sailing under the Marshall Islands flag, sustained hull damage approximately 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, according to maritime risk management company Vanguard. The crew was reported safe following the attack. This latest incident adds to a growing list of disruptions in the vital waterway, prompting concerns about the safety of maritime traffic and potential impacts on global trade.
Strait of Hormuz Under Fire: Multiple Vessels Targeted
The attack on the Star Gwyneth was the third reported on Wednesday, according to maritime security sources. The Thailand-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree was hit by an unidentified projectile roughly 11 nautical miles north of Oman, as reported by the Independent. Earlier, the Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty experienced damage from an unknown projectile 25 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates, according to two maritime security sources.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has admitted to firing at the Mayuree Naree, according to the Tasnim news agency as reported by the Independent. The incidents are occurring as the United States says it has “eliminated” 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels threatening shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, a claim that has not been independently verified.
Tanker Traffic Suspended, War Risk Insurance Soars
The attacks are taking place against a backdrop of near-total suspension of commercial tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Between March 1-3, 2026, escalating conflict led to strikes against four tankers and Iranian naval assets, according to Maritime News. The situation has been exacerbated by the withdrawal of war-risk insurance, forcing vessels to hold off the coast of Muscat, Oman.
Dry bulk carriers, like the Star Gwyneth, have experienced limited transits due to GPS jamming and increased military activity in the area. A Star Bulk Carriers ship successfully transited the strait and escaped the Gulf, as reported by TradeWinds News, but the overall situation remains highly volatile.
US Response and International Concerns
The United States has taken action to address the perceived threat, claiming to have destroyed vessels involved in laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump warned Iran against deploying mines, amid pressure to control rising oil prices. France is preparing another mission, based on Operation Aspides, to protect international shipping, according to Tovima.
The attacks are raising concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, with approximately 20% of the world’s oil passing through it daily. Disruptions to shipping could have significant economic consequences.
What comes next remains uncertain, but continued military activity and heightened tensions suggest the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain unstable in the near term. Further disruptions to shipping are likely, and the potential for escalation remains a significant concern.
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