First Chinese Vessel Attacked in Hormuz... Shipowner Says "Psychological Shock Is Significant"

"Chinese Owner" Marked on Vessel's Exterior
U.S. Launches "Project Freedom" in Strait of Hormuz
Iran's IRGC Escalates Attacks on Multinational Commercial Ships

Amid renewed tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, it was belatedly reported that a Chinese oil tanker became the first to be targeted for attack since the outbreak of the Middle East war in February. Observers say that, following the U.S. announcement on the 3rd (local time) of the launch of "Project Freedom," a naval escort operation utilizing American military power, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has escalated its attacks against multinational commercial vessels.

An oil tanker waiting near the Strait of Hormuz on the 2nd (local time). Photo by AP Yonhap News

On the 7th, Chinese economic media outlet Caixin reported that a large oil product carrier owned by a Chinese company was attacked in the waters near the port of Al Jir in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), at the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz. A fire broke out on the vessel's deck.

According to a representative of the shipowner interviewed by Caixin, the words "Chinese owner · Chinese crew" were clearly marked on the vessel's exterior at the time of the incident. The representative stated, "This is the first time a Chinese oil tanker has been attacked," adding, "It is psychologically very difficult to accept." China is considered a friendly nation to Iran and, even after the outbreak of the U.S.-Iran war on February 28, had remained among the countries not directly affected by airstrikes.

Between the 3rd and 4th of May, multiple commercial vessels were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters. A 300,000-ton very large crude carrier (VLCC) operated by Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) of the UAE was attacked by two drones, while an explosion and fire—believed to have resulted from an attack—occurred on the 38,000-ton cargo ship HMM Namu, operated by a Korean shipping company. The world’s second-largest container shipping company, CMA CGM, also reported that its container ship San Antonio came under attack while transiting the strait, resulting in crew injuries and vessel damage.

As these attacks have continued, vessel operations in the Strait of Hormuz have effectively ground to a halt. According to Diaodubao, a platform under COSCO, China’s state-owned shipping firm and the world’s fourth-largest container shipping company, virtually no commercial vessels crossed the strait during the two days of May 5th and 6th.

Caixin pointed to the U.S. naval escort operation as the main reason for the recent escalation of tensions at sea. U.S. President Donald Trump announced on the 3rd that a military escort operation would be launched to assist commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States described this as a "humanitarian operation." In fact, on the 4th, the Alliance Fairfax, a U.S.-flagged car carrier owned by Danish shipping company Maersk, became the first commercial vessel to transit the strait under U.S. military protection. However, the operation was temporarily suspended as of the 5th, after Saudi Arabia and Kuwait denied the use of their U.S. bases and airspace. According to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), it may resume as early as this week.

Meanwhile, on the 6th, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Beijing, emphasizing the urgent need to halt all-out hostilities and the importance of continuing diplomatic negotiations. China stated that while it supports Iran's right to peaceful nuclear use, it also hopes for the swift restoration of safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a matter of shared international concern.

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