[The Public = Reporter Yang Won-mo] A joint South Korean government probe into the explosion and fire aboard the HMM-operated container ship HMM Namu began May 8 at DryDock World in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
South Korean government and industry officials said the Namu arrived at DryDock World on May 8. Investigators boarded the vessel, including inspectors from the Central Maritime Safety Tribunal under the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, fire-forensic experts from the National Fire Agency, surveyors from the Korean Register and HMM representatives. The investigation will look for signs of external impact as well as internal failures, particularly in the engine room.
At about 8:40 p.m. on May 4, while anchored north of Sharjah inside the Strait of Hormuz, an explosion and fire erupted on the port side of the engine room. The ship carried 24 crew members—six South Koreans and 18 foreign nationals—but there were no injuries. Authorities say they have not found any hull breaches or evidence of flooding so far.
Commentary within Iran has been mixed. In a May 6 column, state-run PressTV contended that targeting a South Korean vessel accused of violating Tehran’s newly announced maritime rules would send a “clear signal” that Iran is defending its sovereignty. The piece did not name the ship, but analysts say the timing suggested it was referring to the Namu.
By contrast, Iran’s embassy in Seoul flatly denied any involvement by Iranian forces. The embassy warned, however, that ignoring declared demands and the operational realities in a high-tension security zone could lead to “unintended accidents.”
Seoul’s presidential office has taken a cautious posture. Chief presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jung said on May 7 that determining the cause of the fire will require more time. National Security Office Director Wi Seong-rak initially raised the possibility the vessel had been struck, but after reviewing additional information said a strike no longer appeared certain.
Investigators expect the probe to be lengthy. The engine room is a sealed space filled with complex equipment, so teams must pinpoint the ignition source, the cause of the explosion and the fire’s spread. Availability of CCTV footage and crew statements will be key variables. Officials also say five other HMM vessels remain inside the Strait of Hormuz.
