Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has confirmed that its container ship MSC Sariska V (IMO: 8715857) was hit by two projectiles shortly after leaving the Port of Umm Qasr (LOCODE: IQUMQ) in Iraq.
The Panama-flagged vessel was departing Umm Qasr when the first impact occurred while a pilot was still onboard. A second projectile struck the vessel soon afterwards, affecting the crew area.
MSC reported that all crew members were unharmed and that the crew acted to secure both the vessel and its cargo following the incident.
According to maritime analysts cited in the report, the nature and pattern of the damage appear inconsistent with a mine strike. Instead, they suggest the vessel may have been targeted using another method, such as an uncrewed surface vessel (USV), similar to incidents previously reported in the northern Persian Gulf.
A fire was reported after the strikes but was later extinguished.
According to reports from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, the vessel was located approximately 40 nautical miles southeast of Umm Qasr at the time of the attack.
MSC stated that the attack was “unjustified,” emphasizing that the company operates as a neutral commercial carrier with no affiliation to geopolitical actors.
The company also expressed concern about risks to seafarers and maritime trade in the region following the incident.
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