A US-managed bulk carrier has reportedly been hit by suspected hostile fire in the Persian Gulf, adding to a series of vessel attacks near the Strait of Hormuz.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center said the Safesea Neha, a 180-meter Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier managed by US-based Safesea Group, was struck by a projectile on May 10 near Doha, Qatar.
The incident caused a small fire on board, but no injuries were reported. The vessel is 16 years old and is linked to logistics support operations for United Nations peacekeeping missions, the World Food Programme and the US General Services Administration.
Safesea, headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, provides ship management and maritime logistics services.
The attack is the first reported incident involving a merchant vessel with US links since the start of the US-Iran peace process.
Global ocean freight futures stabilized somewhat last week, suggesting carriers are managing the continuing disruption around the Strait of Hormuz to limit sharp rate increases. Around 1,500 vessels are still estimated to be blocked in the Gulf.
US Central Command said it disabled two Iranian tankers over the weekend, while three warships were reportedly attacked by Iran.
The political backdrop remains tense. President Donald Trump rejected Tehran’s latest peace proposal, while the Iranian government said it would not accept US demands, including those related to its uranium stockpile.
