The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) confirmed Tuesday that its vessel, MSC Sariska V, was struck by two projectiles while departing the port of Um-Qasr, Iraq, on June 1. The first hit while the pilot was onboard as the vessel departed from port and a second impacted the crew area soon afterwards.
All crew members are safe, unharmed and acted with exceptional professionalism throughout the incident to secure the vessel and its cargo. Based on local media reports, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) has claimed responsibility for the attack in response to U.S. actions involving the vessel Lion Star.
MSC said the attack was unjustified and reiterated its status as a neutral commercial carrier. The company, founded by Italian national Captain Gianluigi Aponte, is headquartered and domiciled in Switzerland and is wholly owned by his children, Diego and Alexa Aponte, both Italian nationals.
MSC said it is deeply concerned by the attack and the risks it poses to seafarers and maritime trade in the region.
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