A South Korean-operated bulk carrier caught fire in the engine room while anchored in the Strait of Hormuz near the United Arab Emirates, according to reports on May 5, 2026. The South Korean Foreign Ministry stated that the cause of the fire will be determined once the vessel is brought to port. All 24 crew members, including 18 foreigners and six South Koreans, were reported safe with no casualties.

South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that an explosion occurred aboard the ship while it was anchored in the waters near the UAE. U.S. President Donald Trump claimed on his social media platform that Iran had fired at the vessel, but the ship’s operator, HMM, has not confirmed any attack. An HMM employee told Yonhap that it remains unclear whether the explosion resulted from an external assault or an internal malfunction.

The vessel is expected to be towed to Dubai in the coming days for damage assessment and a full investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.