One of the MSC vessels in the Persian Gulf experienced an explosion while transiting near Iraq.

The vessel, identified as MSC Sariska V, was located southeast of the Port of Umm Qasr when the event occurred on 01 June 2026.

The ship is reported to have sustained hull damage after being struck by a projectile. The impact resulted in a large explosion, with UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirming the scale of the blast.

“A cargo vessel was transiting in the MEG when a large explosion followed a hit from an unknown projectile on the starboard side,” posted UKMTO.

Authorities later reported a second impact that caused a fire onboard. The fire has since been extinguished. No injuries to crew members have been reported, and there has been no indication of environmental impact.

Social media circulated images of the vessel with a hole measuring approximately five square metres in its starboard hull, extending to an area just below the waterline. 

However, the extent of the damage is not yet confirmed.

MSC Sariska V is a 4814-TEU vessel, operating on MSC's intra-Middle East Gulf service GULF SHUTTLE 2.