The aging bulk carrier MV Luni split in half and partially sank at an anchorage off Bandar Abbas, Iran, on July 14.
The 43,000-dwt vessel was anchored in the northern Strait of Hormuz when it began taking on water. Its hull later broke in two near the midship section. The vessel settled on the shallow seabed, leaving the bow and stern above the water while the middle section became submerged.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation. Local media reported that MV Luni had collided with another merchant vessel several days earlier, damaging its hull. The damage may have worsened over time, leading to flooding and the structural failure. Authorities have not confirmed those reports.
The incident occurred during heightened military activity around Bandar Abbas, where U.S. forces have recently struck Iranian military targets. However, there is no evidence that MV Luni was damaged in a military attack, and authorities have not linked the casualty to the conflict.
Built in 1994 and sailing under the flag of St. Kitts and Nevis, MV Luni was more than 30 years old. Over the past two years, the vessel had accumulated dozens of deficiencies during Port State Control inspections, raising concerns about its structural condition.
The casualty highlights the risks of operating aging vessels in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors, where heavy traffic and regional tensions continue to increase pressure on ships and their crews.
