Tensions Escalate in Strait of Hormuz: French CMA CGM Cargo Vessel Hit by Warning Fire
French shipping giant CMA CGM stated on Sunday, April 19, that one of its container ships was subjected to warning fire while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. The company confirmed to AFP on the 19th that all crew members were "safe and unharmed."
According to AFP, the Marseille-based company issued a brief statement on Sunday stating that the vessel and personnel involved in the incident in the Strait of Hormuz remained stable.
The United Nations-affiliated International Maritime Organization (IMO) said the container ship sustained damage during Saturday’s incident but provided no further details.
Earlier, U.S. President Trump claimed on his social platform Truth Social that Iran had fired upon a "French vessel" and a British cargo ship.
Multiple sources indicate that several merchant vessels were warned or threatened with gunfire from Iranian military forces while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday. This follows Iran's temporary reopening of the vital global maritime route before re-closing it once again.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that speedboats from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired at an oil tanker. The vessel and its crew were safe. Maritime intelligence firm Vanguard Tech noted that the oil tanker, named "Sanmar Herald," flew the Indian flag.
In another incident, the cruise ship "Mein Schiff 4," flying the Maltese flag, reported that projectiles fell near its vicinity while navigating off the coast of Oman.
UKMTO also stated that a container ship may have been hit by an unknown projectile, resulting in partial damage to some containers, though no fire broke out. Analysts believe this could be the same vessel belonging to French CMA CGM.
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1862939738396672/
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