Seoul: South Korea announced that it will likely take several days to analyze the cause of a fire and explosion aboard a Panama-flagged bulk carrier operated by HMM Co. in the Strait of Hormuz. Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung provided the update following a meeting of senior presidential officials, including chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik, to discuss the incident.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the explosion occurred at approximately 8:40 p.m. Monday (Korean time) while the HMM Namu was anchored off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The fire started in the engine room, and crew members managed to extinguish the blaze after four hours using carbon dioxide. No injuries were reported among the 24 crew members, which included six South Koreans and 18 foreign nationals.
The vessel is to be towed to a nearby port for a thorough investigation by the Korea Maritime Safety Tribunal and the National Fire Agency. HMM confirmed that the fire was captured on security camera footage and plans to inspect the engine room to determine the extent of the damage. The cause of the explosion remains unclear, with investigations ongoing to ascertain whether it was due to an external attack or internal malfunction.
Efforts are underway to tow the freighter to Dubai, with the process anticipated to take several days. South Korea is coordinating with the United States, Iran, and Gulf Cooperation Council members, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to share relevant information. Communication lines are open with the oceans ministry and the Cheonghae naval unit in the Gulf of Aden to ensure the safety of the 26 South Korean ships in the strait.
In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that Iran had targeted a South Korean cargo ship and urged Seoul to participate in a mission to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The South Korean presidential office stated it is reviewing Trump's proposal in light of the current readiness posture on the Korean Peninsula and domestic legal considerations.
Industry officials have advised South Korean-operated ships in UAE waters to move toward Qatar as a precautionary measure. This incident follows the launch of Project Freedom by the U.S., aimed at guiding commercial vessels affected by the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran in the region. HMM currently operates five vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, including a container ship and two oil tankers.