MSC has confirmed that its vessel, MSC Sariska V, was struck by two projectiles while departing the port of Umm Qasr in Iraq.
The incident took place on 1 June, according to a statement issued by MSC from Geneva on 2 June.
The company said the first projectile hit the vessel while the pilot was onboard during departure from the port. A second projectile struck the crew area soon afterwards.
MSC said all crew members were safe and unharmed, adding that they secured the vessel and its cargo following the incident.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) also reported an incident involving a cargo vessel around 40 nautical miles southeast of Umm Qasr.
According to UKMTO, the vessel was transiting in the Arabian Gulf when a large explosion followed a hit from an unknown projectile on the starboard side. UKMTO said it was not aware of any environmental impact at the time and that authorities were investigating.
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MSC said that, based on local media reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) had claimed responsibility for the attack in response to US actions on the vessel Lion Star.
The company rejected the allegations cited by the IRGC, stating: “This retaliatory action is completely unjustified based on the allegations made by the IRGC since MSC is a neutral commercial carrier with no affiliation to the United States or Israel.”
MSC added that it was “deeply concerned by these unprovoked attacks and the risk they create for its innocent seafarers, and essential maritime trade in the region.”
The incident follows a period of heightened security concern across the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East, after recent maritime advisories urged vessel operators to maintain vigilance, review security procedures and monitor updates from official reporting centres.
