Three ships have been hit in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf in the space of a few hours.

The UKMTO said that a cargo ship was on fire in the Strait of Hormuz after being struck by an unknown projectile 11 nm of Oman. It said the crew were evacuating the vessel and it had requested assistance. In an update the UKMTO said fire on board the ship had been extinguished and skeleton crew remained on the vessel.

Latest update: Three crew believed trapped on Precious Shipping bulker hit in Strait of Hormuz

According to maritime security firm Vanguard Tech the vessel is the Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayruree Naree which is owned by Bangkok-headquartered Precious Shipping. The strike resulted in a fire onboard the vessel and reports said 20 crew had evacuated while three remained on board as rescue operations continued.

Two other vessels are also reported to have been hit west of the UAE.

A container ship was damaged by a projectile 25nm northwest of Ra’s al Khaymah, UAE, the UKMTO reported with all crew members safe and accounted.

Related:Three crew believed trapped on Precious Shipping bulker hit in Strait of Hormuz

Vanguard Tech said the vessel involved was the Japanese-flagged ONE Majesty and that the vessel had sustained a 10 cm hole and was headed towards a safe anchorage. The ONE Majesty is owned by Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) and operated as part of the fleet of Ocean Network Express (ONE).

A bulk carrier also reported being hit by an unknown projectile 50nm northwest of Dubai, UAE. The UKMTO said the crew were reported to be safe and well and there was no environmental impact.

Vanguard reported that bulker involved was the Marshall Islands-flagged Star Gwyneth, part of the fleet of New York-listed, Greek shipowner Star Bulk.

The three attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz and nearby region on 11 March come after a 72 period in which no vessels were reported hit as a result of the war in Iran. 

Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz and burn ships attempting to pass through the key waterway that links the Gulf region with the rest of the world. At least seven seafarers have been killed and a number seriously injured in 10 incidents since the conflict between the US/Israel and Iran started on 28 February.