Cargo ship struck by unknown projectile off the coast of Oman

On Thursday, the Singapore-flagged container ship Ever Lovely was struck on its starboard side by an unidentified projectile while sailing 7.5 nautical miles southeast of Dahit, Oman. The incident was reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and later confirmed by Vanguard Tech and Reuters. While the ship sustained damage to its bridge and hull, authorities reported no casualties or environmental impact. Following the attack, the UN's International Maritime Organization (IMO) temporarily suspended an evacuation plan intended to help hundreds of stranded vessels and sailors leave the region. The IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated the measure is a precaution to ensure safety guarantees are still effective for all ships. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the incident. The UKMTO has advised vessels in the vicinity to exercise extreme caution and report any suspicious activity.