Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated after two MSC containerships were intercepted by Iranian forces while attempting to leave the waterway.

Iranian authorities, specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, claimed the vessels had repeatedly violated restrictions, including allegedly departing the strait covertly after it had been declared closed.

The ships involved—the MSC Francesca and the MV Epaminondas—were part of a larger convoy of 12 vessels trying to exit the Iranian controlled Strait. Reports suggest the group attempted to avoid detection by disabling their AIS tracking systems. Both ships are believed to have suffered some damage after being fired upon during the incident and remain stationary within the strait according to ship tracking.

Confirmation from UK Maritime Trade Operations indicated that two vessels had indeed been halted, though MSC has not yet released an official statement. Tracking data and multiple independent reports strongly point to these ships as the ones involved.

While these two vessels were stopped, six others in the convoy successfully completed their transit and are now clear of the Arabian Sea, which included the MSC ships MSC Clara, MSC Grace, MSC Margrit XIII, and MSC Madeleine.

However, along with the two seized MSC ships, four CMA CGM ships were reportedly intercepted by Iranian forces and followed orders to turn back.

The broader situation appears to show some sign of improvement with fewer than 100 ships now stranded in the Gulf that represent around 270,000 teu compared to earlier figures of 430,000 teu. Nonetheless, the incident highlights ongoing risks to maritime traffic in one of the world’s most critical shipping corridors.

Unique Forwarding continues to monitor developments.