Two cargo ships sink near Strait of Hormuz amid rising attacks
Two cargo vessels sank near the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by unidentified projectiles in separate incidents within 24 hours. The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride caught fire and sank Tuesday, though its crew was evacuated safely, while the Antigua and Barbuda-registered Cape Dao sank after a September 23 strike that killed one Indian crew member. The attacks have disrupted Middle East oil shipments and pushed global crude prices higher.
Iranian state media said a sea mine caused the GFS Pride loss on a route it called unapproved, but specialists doubted that and leaned toward a drone strike. Maritime data place the Cape Dao and GFS Pride losses as only the second and third sinkings in Middle Eastern waters since February’s war with Iran began.
Since late September, attacks have intensified. UKMTO recorded nine incidents around Hormuz since Monday, including a drone strike on a tanker. Kpler reported Monday transits of 4.147 million barrels, under a quarter of pre-war levels, with the seven-day average falling sharply in early October.
The disruption could affect shipping crews, insurers, and energy markets, while higher crude prices may feed into fuel and transport costs for households and businesses. Reduced tanker traffic through Hormuz might add uncertainty for importers reliant on Middle Eastern oil. If attacks continue, shipping routes and insurance premiums could shift, potentially raising delivered goods costs. The human toll may remain concentrated among mariners operating in the region.