Recourse for Damage Caused to Singapore-flagged Cargo Ship Struck by Projectile at Strait of Hormuz
Ministry of TransportSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns the damage sustained by a Singapore-flagged cargo ship struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz and Singapore's available recourse, as asked by Mr Ang Wei Neng to the Minister for Transport. In response, Mr Jeffrey Siow stated that the container vessel Ever Lovely suffered minor damage to its bridge from an unknown projectile on 25 June 2026, with all 21 crew members safe and ship repairs completed upon its arrival in Singapore on 5 July 2026. The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore assisted the vessel's management company, which may pursue compensation through war risk or commercial marine insurance claims. Furthermore, the Singapore Government continues to urge all parties to respect transit passage rights under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and customary international law. Singapore actively works with the international community to uphold these rights through multilateral initiatives at the United Nations and the International Maritime Organization.
Transcript
51 Mr Ang Wei Neng asked the Minister for Transport (a) whether the Ministry has any information on the damage caused to the Singapore-flagged cargo ship that was struck by a projectile at the Strait of Hormuz; and (b) what recourse does Singapore have in relation to this attack.
Mr Jeffrey Siow: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was informed on 25 June 2026 that a Singapore-registered container vessel – Ever Lovely – sustained minor damage to the bridge area from an unknown projectile. The incident took place while the vessel was departing the Strait of Hormuz at around 5.30 pm (local time).
All 21 crew members were reported safe and the vessel was able to proceed on its voyage. The Ever Lovely subsequently arrived at the Port of Singapore on 5 July 2026, where the necessary ship repairs were completed. MPA remained in close contact with the vessel's management company throughout the ship's voyage and provided the necessary assistance.
The vessel's management company may consider its available options to seek compensation, including filing a war risk or marine insurance claim with its commercial insurers.
The Singapore Government has consistently urged all parties to uphold their obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This includes the right of transit passage in all Straits Used for International Navigation, which is entrenched in both UNCLOS and customary international law. Singapore continues to work with the international community to uphold the right of transit passage through our support for relevant resolutions and multilateral initiatives at the United Nations and International Maritime Organization.