Greek-owned LNG tanker hit by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz — 11 Greek seafarers on board, all in good health

A Greek-owned liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker has been hit by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz, as the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy announced on Tuesday. On board the vessel were 30 crew members, of whom 11 are Greek nationals — and fortunately all are in good health, with no one injured.

The vessel in question is the “Maran Gas Mystras”, an LNG tanker with a capacity of 159,800 cubic metres, built in 2015 and owned by the Greek Angelicoussis group, through the company Maran Gas Maritime. After the strike, the tanker is sailing under its own power towards the anchorage of Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, where it is expected to arrive for an assessment of the damage.

According to TradeWinds’ reporting, sources at the Greek ministry said the first reports of the incident arrived late on Monday evening. The maritime security company Ambrey has meanwhile confirmed the strike, while the exact nature of the projectile remains unverified and the investigation into the event continues.

The incident comes amid a frightening escalation of attacks on merchant shipping in the area: according to TradeWinds, the “Maran Gas Mystras” is the thirteenth vessel hit since 29 September, as part of Iran’s increased campaign against Western shipping in the strait, after the failure of diplomatic talks with the United States on the margins of the UN General Assembly. The Greek authorities say they are closely following the situation and are in constant contact with the owning company and the crew.