Fire on the South Korean cargo ship 'HMM Namu' may have been caused by an exploding mine. That is what the leader of a South Korean seafarers' union suspects after talks about the incident near the Strait of Hormuz.
If this scenario is correct, it would be the first time during the current Middle East conflict that a cargo ship has been hit by a sea mine. The situation raises fresh concerns about the safety of international shipping.
The fire broke out on Monday near the engine room of the 'HMM Namu', a brand new cargo ship of shipping company HMM. According to crew statements, a heavy explosion was heard just before the fire.
The bang was so powerful that crews of nearby ships decided to sail away for fear of an attack. After about four hours, the crew managed to get the fire under control. All 24 people on board remained unharmed.
Investigators are ruling out a technical defect for now. This increases the likelihood that the cause must be sought outside the ship.
...sea mines pose one of the greatest risks to shipping in conflict zones because they are difficult to detect.
The possible involvement of mines is fuelling uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, there were warnings of floating objects in the area, which could potentially be explosives.
According to reports, there are mines in the region that could be moved remotely. Meanwhile, the United States is said to be engaged in mine-clearing operations, but details remain unclear.
The incident occurred shortly after the United States launched its 'Project Freedom' to guide ships more safely through the region. The timing creates additional tension between Iran and the US.
The 'HMM Namu' has since been towed to Dubai for repairs. South Korean investigators have arrived there to further investigate the exact cause of the fire.
For the logistics industry, this incident again highlights how vulnerable international shipping is in geopolitical conflict zones. Read more about international transport flows on the sea freight page.
The outcome of the investigation could have major implications for the security situation in the region and how ships continue to use the Strait of Hormuz.