HMM Namuho Arrives at Dubai Port...Full-Scale Investigation Into Cause of Fire Begins

Attempting to Berth at the Largest Repair Shipyard in the Middle East
Investigation Team Still Undergoing Entry Procedures
Investigation Expected After 1:00 p.m. Korean Time

HMM Namuho has arrived at the port of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to investigate the cause of the fire that occurred in the Strait of Hormuz. A full-scale investigation is scheduled to begin after the vessel completes the necessary procedures, such as berthing at the repair shipyard dock.

HMM Namuho. Photo by Yonhap News

According to HMM on May 8, the Namuho was towed to the vicinity of the port of Dubai at around 12:20 a.m. local time (5:20 a.m. Korean time).

The vessel is currently attempting to berth at the Drydocks World Dubai dock, which is the largest repair shipyard in the Middle East. Once berthing procedures are completed, it is expected that outsiders will be able to enter the vessel starting from 1:00 p.m. Korean time.

However, HMM explained that various paperwork procedures and immigration processing remain as variables, so it may take more time before a full-scale investigation can begin.

The investigation into the cause of the fire, which is set to begin in earnest from this day, will be conducted by a government investigation team composed of three investigators from the Central Marine Safety Tribunal and four forensic experts from the National Fire Agency.

The core of the investigation is to determine whether the fire on the Namuho was caused by external factors, such as an attack by Iran, or by a defect within the vessel itself.

On May 4, while anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, the Namuho experienced a fire in the port side of the engine room accompanied by the sound of an explosion. Although the fire was extinguished and the crew remained unharmed, there were claims that the fire may have been caused by an attack involving Iranian drones or naval mines.

So far, no hull breaches suspected to be caused by military attacks have been found on the Namuho, and it is also reported that the vessel did not list or flood at the time of the fire. This is why both the government and HMM are maintaining a cautious stance regarding the possibility of a bombing by Iran or others.

However, the fact that crew members on board reported hearing a massive explosion that was different from an internal explosion, and that there was a warning about floating sea mines, are factors that raise suspicions of an external attack.

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Iran in Korea have stated that Iran was not involved in the fire on the Namuho.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.