MSC Says Containership Struck Twice by Projectiles Near Iraq

A containership operated by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company was struck by two projectiles while departing Iraq’s Port of Umm Qasr, raising new concerns about the safety of commercial shipping in the northern Persian Gulf. According to the company, the incident involved the Panama-flagged vessel MSC Sariska V and occurred shortly after the ship left port.

MSC reported that the first projectile hit the vessel while the harbor pilot was still on board. A second projectile later struck an area used by crew members. Despite the damage, no injuries were reported among the seafarers. The company said the crew acted quickly and professionally to secure the vessel and its cargo following the incident.

The attack is being viewed as one of the most serious incidents involving a commercial vessel in the northern Persian Gulf since tensions between the United States and Iran increased earlier this year. Regional shipping companies and maritime security organizations have been closely monitoring threats to merchant vessels operating in the area.

Reports indicated that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the strike and linked it to recent actions involving an Iranian-linked vessel. MSC rejected any justification for the attack, stating that it is a neutral commercial shipping company with no connection to either the United States or Israel. The company emphasized that merchant ships and their crews should not become targets during regional conflicts.