MSC vessel hit by projectiles at Iraq’s Um Qasr port amid Middle East tensions
Geneva-headquartered shipping company MSC has confirmed that one of its vessels, the MSC Sariska V, was hit by two projectiles while calling at Iraq’s port of Um Qasr on Monday.
IMAGE: MSC vessel MSC Sariska V. VesselFinder
The incident comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East and stalled negotiations between Iran and the US.
The first projectile struck the vessel while a pilot was onboard during its departure from the port. A second projectile hit the crew accommodation area shortly afterwards, according to MSC. The company confirmed that all crew members are safe and unharmed.
MSC, citing local media reports, said that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as retaliation for US actions involving the vessel Lion Star.
The company strongly rejected any justification for the strike, stating that the retaliatory action is “completely unjustified” since “MSC is a neutral commercial carrier with no affiliation to the United States or Israel.”
MSC also voiced concern over “these unprovoked attacks” and “the risk they create for its innocent seafarers, and essential maritime trade in the region.”
Meanwhile, market participants continue to closely watch developments in US-Iran negotiations for any signs of progress, although talks have yet to produce a meaningful breakthrough.
By Tuhin Roy
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