• Malta-flagged container vessel Safeen Prestige hit by projectile near Oman, crew evacuated safely.
  • Iran's Revolutionary Guards declare Strait of Hormuz closed, threatening attacks on transiting vessels.
  • Major shipping lines suspend operations as energy prices spike amid critical security alert.

Container Ship Abandoned in Escalating Maritime Crisis

A Malta-flagged container ship was abandoned after being struck by a projectile near the Strait of Hormuz, according to shipping sources familiar with the matter. The Safeen Prestige was hit at the top of the strategic waterway close to Oman, with the crew safely evacuated in the latest escalation of attacks on commercial vessels in the region.

Efforts to secure the vessel have been complicated by Iran's declaration that the strait is effectively closed to maritime traffic. A senior adviser to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander stated that any ship attempting transit would be attacked, according to Iranian state media reports. This comes as multiple vessels have been confirmed hit in recent days, including the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight north of Khasab port in Oman and the US-flagged tanker Stena Imperative.

Shipping Industry Response and Market Impact

Major shipping companies have suspended operations through the critical chokepoint, with Maersk (MAERSK-B.CO) announcing it would halt all vessel crossings until further notice. MSC (MSC) has instructed ships in the Gulf to proceed to designated safe shelter areas, according to company statements reviewed by sources. Marine traffic trackers show a dramatic drop in vessel movements since strikes began on Saturday, March 1, 2026.

"The situation has deteriorated rapidly," said one shipping executive who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing security assessments. "Without a clear path to de-escalation, we're facing potentially prolonged disruption to global trade routes."

The Joint Maritime Information Center has raised its security alert level to "critical" - its highest designation - citing confirmed missile and drone attacks against multiple commercial vessels. This comes as the Strait of Hormuz handles approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas exports, with the disruption already sending energy prices sharply higher.

Operational Challenges and Regional Tensions

Shipping sources indicate that at least two additional vessels were hit by unknown projectiles off the Omani coast in recent days, though specific details remain unclear. The attacks began following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with Tehran retaliating through missile and drone strikes that have created what one maritime security analyst described as "an unprecedented threat environment for commercial shipping."

Attempts to reach representatives for the Safeen Prestige's operators were unsuccessful, though sources familiar with the vessel's status confirmed all crew members were safely evacuated. The container ship's abandonment represents another operational challenge for shipping companies navigating what has become one of the world's most volatile maritime regions.

As tensions continue to escalate, industry observers note that the closure declaration by Iran's Revolutionary Guards creates immediate complications for vessels already in transit. "Companies are having to make real-time decisions about rerouting or sheltering vessels," said a logistics coordinator at a major shipping firm. "The operational and financial implications are significant."

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of confirmed vessel attacks. At least five vessels have been confirmed hit in recent days, not three.