A container ship sailing under the Malta flag, identified as the Safeen Prestige, was struck by a missile on March 4, 2026, while navigating the Strait of Hormuz. Local sources indicate the incident took place around 1:00 PM Malta time as the vessel was en route to Saudi Arabia.

Vessel: Safeen Prestige (IMO 9593517)
Flag: Malta
Location: 2 nautical miles north of Oman, Strait of Hormuz
Impact: Damage to the hull above the waterline and engine room fire
Casualties: No injuries or environmental impact reported at this stage

Details of the incident
The vessel was approximately two nautical miles north of Oman, transiting eastbound, when it was hit by a projectile just above the waterline, causing a fire in the engine room.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) is investigating the incident. No environmental impact or injuries have been reported thus far.

Regional context
This is reportedly the fourth attack on commercial shipping in the region within the past 24 hours. It follows recent declarations by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) asserting control over the Strait of Hormuz and issuing threats against vessels in the waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial route for global trade, with local sources estimating that about 20% of the world's oil supply passes through it.