A fire and explosion were reported on the HMM Namu , a bulk carrier operated by HMM , in the Strait of Hormuz , South Korea’s foreign ministry said on Monday, adding that no casualties had been reported. The ministry said the incident occurred at around 11:40 a.m. GMT while the vessel was anchored near the coast of the United Arab Emirates . The fire is understood to have broken out in the engine room of the bulk carrier. All 24 crew members on board were safe, officials said, including six South Korean nationals and 18 foreign crew. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and asse

A fire and explosion were reported on the HMM Namu, a bulk carrier operated by HMM, in the Strait of Hormuz, South Korea’s foreign ministry said on Monday, adding that no casualties had been reported.

The ministry said the incident occurred at around 11:40 a.m. GMT while the vessel was anchored near the coast of the United Arab Emirates. The fire is understood to have broken out in the engine room of the bulk carrier.

All 24 crew members on board were safe, officials said, including six South Korean nationals and 18 foreign crew. Authorities are continuing to monitor the situation and assess the extent of the damage.

South Korea’s government said it was also reviewing intelligence reports that the HMM Namu may have been attacked, though no cause has been officially confirmed.

The vessel sails under the flag of Panama, in line with common international shipping practices. HMM has not yet issued a detailed public statement on the incident.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, with a significant portion of global oil shipments passing through the narrow waterway.

South Korean officials said at least 26 South Korean-flagged vessels are currently in or around the strait, underscoring the potential risk to commercial shipping in the region.

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