South Korean Cargo Ship Damaged By Fire In Strait Of Hormuz To Be Towed To Dubai

South Korean shipping company HMM has secured a tugboat to tow its damaged bulk carrier HMM Namu to Dubai after an explosion and fire left the vessel unable to sail on its own in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Panama-flagged vessel is expected to arrive in Dubai as early as Thursday night or Friday, according to company officials.

The company said the ship would be taken to a safe harbor where authorities will inspect the damage and investigate the cause of the explosion. Repair work is also expected to take place there.

The explosion and fire broke out around 8:40 p.m. Monday on the port side of the engine room while the vessel was anchored off the United Arab Emirates in the Strait of Hormuz.

The ship suffered major damage in the blast and had to remain stranded until a towing vessel was secured.

There were 24 crew members on board, including six South Koreans, but no injuries or deaths were reported. HMM said the fire was later extinguished.

The company secured a tugboat on Wednesday and planned to begin towing operations as early as possible, likely later in the day.

An HMM representative said the vessel could reach Dubai by Thursday night or Friday.

The investigation is expected to involve officials from the Dubai branch of the Korean Register, investigators from the Korean Maritime Safety Tribunal and forensic experts from South Korea’s National Fire Agency.

Officials have not yet been able to directly inspect the engine room because carbon dioxide released during firefighting operations created safety concerns.

Security camera footage reviewed by the company reportedly showed the fire had already been put out.

The incident gained attention after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed the vessel had been attacked by Iran.

In a social media post, Trump said Iran fired at a South Korean-operated ship and other targets during a U.S. operation aimed at reopening navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump also urged South Korea to join the U.S.-led effort in the region. Later, he said the United States would briefly pause operations to help escort ships through the waterway while discussions with Iran continued.

South Korea’s government has taken a more cautious position. Officials from the foreign ministry and the presidential Blue House said the exact cause of the explosion could only be confirmed after the vessel reaches port and undergoes a full inspection.

A senior Blue House official said it could not yet be concluded that the incident was an attack.

It was the first reported case involving a South Korean-linked vessel in the Strait of Hormuz since tensions linked to the Iran conflict increased earlier this year.

Per reports, 26 Korean ships carrying 123 Korean sailors were inside the strait at the time.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, handling about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade during normal operations.

HMM said it has already sent an investigation team to the area and plans to dispatch more personnel once the vessel arrives in Dubai.

References: YNA, koreajoongangdaily