Malta-flagged vessel struck by two missiles in Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, minister confirms

Updated at 6:25pm with Transport Minister statement

A Malta-flagged vessel has been hit by a missile in the Strait of Hormuz, just off the coast of Oman.

Transport Minister Chris Bonett confirmed the attack in a ministerial statement on Wednesday, saying he would be convening the Maritime Security Committee to monitor the situation.  

The container ship named Safeen Prestige was hit by two missiles at 3:09pm Malta time as it was making its way to Saudi Arabia.

As a result of the attack, a fire broke out, primarily in the engine room. The vessel was hit at the stern, above sea level.

Although the ship sustained relatively significant damage, the 24 crew members on board — 21 Egyptian nationals and three Ukrainian nationals — were not injured and were rescued by the naval forces of the Sultanate of Oman.

“In light of these developments, I have requested that the Maritime Security Committee convene in order to monitor the situation and determine whether any further steps are required,” he said. “As a country, we once again call for the safety and protection of vessels and, above all, of all seafarers carrying out their duties, particularly those serving on merchant ships.”

The minister said: “Malta reiterates the importance of safeguarding the principles of freedom of navigation and strict adherence to international maritime law as fundamental pillars of our maritime policy, which consistently maintains that no conflict should jeopardise the security of global maritime trade.”

The attack comes amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region, as Iran is launching constant retaliatory attacks in the wake of Israeli and American attacks on the country that have killed the Iranian supreme leader.

Earlier this week, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) stated that the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for the global oil trade, was under its control, and threatened to attack any ship that passes through it.

The attack on the Safeen Prestige is the fourth strike reported in the last day.

Ebrahim Jabari a senior adviser to the IRGC’s leadership, threatened to send oil prices skyrocketing further, claiming that Iran will not let any oil leave the region.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, sees some 20% of global oil supplies pass through it.