A Singapore-flagged container ship sank in the Strait of Hormuz on October 13 while carrying several consignments of steel scrap bound for Pakistan, with several Pakistani importers confirming cargo losses.
The GFS Pride was damaged and caught fire after being struck by an unidentified projectile, according to Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority (MPA). All 21 crew members were safely evacuated, with no injuries reported. The vessel was operated by Dubai-based Global Feeder Shipping.
The vessel had called at Fujairah in the UAE, as well as Al Jubail in Saudi Arabia, before its planned arrival at Pakistan’s Port Qasim. It was expected to reach the Pakistani port on October 18. The vessel’s route raises the possibility that some of the lost scrap originated in the UAE.
Several Pakistani importers have confirmed losing cargoes in the incident, but the full volume of scrap lost remains unclear. The vessel was also reportedly carrying containers of mobile phones and other goods.
The circumstances of the sinking remain disputed. Some media reports suggested that the vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile, while Iran claimed it sank after hitting a naval mine while using what it described as an unauthorized route. The incident adds to risks facing commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, where repeated attacks have raised concerns over cargo security, freight costs and insurance.