AMP Advises Panamanian-Flagged Vessels on Strait of Hormuz Security Incidents
Summary
Two Panamanian-flagged container vessels experienced separate security incidents in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22, 2026. The vessel Euphoria was shot at by three unidentified craft at 10:00 a.m. local time; no injuries were reported and the vessel is safely anchored in Khorfakkan, UAE. The vessel MSC Francesca was intercepted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and instructed to anchor near Iranian coastline, where it remains awaiting instructions. The DGMM has issued an urgent call to all Panamanian-flagged vessels to avoid transiting these waters or implement heightened security measures in strict adherence to international maritime protection protocols.
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What changed
The Panama Maritime Authority, through its Directorate General of Merchant Marine, issued an urgent advisory on April 23, 2026, reporting two separate security incidents involving Panamanian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz on the previous day. The vessel Euphoria was fired upon by three unidentified craft at 10:00 a.m. on April 22 and is safely anchored in Khorfakkan, UAE. The vessel MSC Francesca was intercepted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and directed to anchor near Iranian waters, where it remains. The DGMM has established direct communication with the vessel operators and owners and is providing support in accordance with its role as Flag State.
Affected parties include all Panamanian-flagged vessel operators, owners, and maritime crews transiting or planning to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The DGMM urgently advises avoidance of these waters where possible and, where transit is unavoidable, implementation of heightened security and surveillance measures following international maritime protection protocols. The Authority will coordinate with diplomatic channels and international organizations to monitor the situation and facilitate resolution.
What to do next
- Contact the DGMM through established communication channels for support and coordination
Archived snapshot
Apr 24, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
LA AUTORIDAD MARÍTIMA DE PANAMÁ INFORMA SOBRE LA SITUACIÓN DE NAVES CON BANDERA PANAMEÑA
abril 23, 2026 by Santiago.S 0
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LA AUTORIDAD MARÍTIMA DE PANAMÁ INFORMA SOBRE LA SITUACIÓN DE NAVES CON BANDERA PANAMEÑA La Autoridad Marítima de Panamá (AMP), a través de la Dirección General de Marina Mercante (DGMM), comunica que tiene pleno conocimiento de la situación en la que se han visto involucradas dos naves portacontenedores con bandera panameña en el área del Estrecho de Ormuz.
A las 10:00 a.m. (hora local) del miércoles 22 de abril, el buque “Euphoria” fue objeto de disparos por parte de tres embarcaciones no identificadas. Afortunadamente, no se han reportado heridos y la nave ya se encuentra fondeada en Khorfakkan, Emiratos Árabes Unidos.
Por otra parte, se reportó que el buque “MSC Francesca”, mientras se disponía a transitar por el Estrecho de Ormuz, fue interceptado por el Cuerpo de la Guardia Revolucionaria Islámica, que solicitó su fondeo cerca de la costa Iraní. La nave se mantiene a la espera de nuevas instrucciones por parte de las autoridades locales.
Ante estos hechos, mantenemos un canal de comunicación directo y permanente con los operadores y la empresa propietaria del buque, a quienes estamos brindando todo el apoyo correspondiente, conforme a nuestras facultades como Estado de Abanderamiento y de acuerdo con el derecho internacional marítimo.
Nuestra prioridad absoluta es la seguridad del buque y de la gente de mar a bordo de los buques con bandera panameña.
Ante la situación de inestabilidad en la región, la DGMM reitera su llamado urgente a todos los buques de bandera panameña a evitar, en la medida de lo posible, el tránsito por estas aguas o, en su defecto, a extremar las medidas de seguridad y vigilancia, siguiendo los protocolos internacionales de protección marítima.
La entidad continuará monitoreando de cerca el desarrollo de estos incidentes y coordinará con las autoridades diplomáticas y organismos internacionales pertinentes para lograr una pronta resolución, reafirmando nuestro compromiso con la protección de los intereses de nuestra flota y la seguridad de la navegación global.
THE PANAMA MARITIME AUTHORITY PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON THE SITUATION INVOLVING PANAMANIAN-FLAGGED VESSELS The Panama Maritime Authority (PMA), through its Directorate General of Merchant Marine (DGMM), hereby informs that it is fully aware of the situation involving two Panamanian-flagged container vessels in the Strait of Hormuz area.
At 10:00 a.m. (local time), the vessel Euphoria came under fire from three unidentified craft. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported, and the vessel is currently safely anchored in Khorfakkan, United Arab Emirates.
In a separate incident, the vessel MSC Francesca, while preparing to transit the Strait of Hormuz, was intercepted by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, which instructed the ship to anchor near the Iranian coastline. The vessel remains in position, awaiting further instructions from local authorities.
In response to these events, we have established direct and continuous communication with the vessel operators and the shipowner, to whom we are providing full support in accordance with our responsibilities as the Flag State and in line with international maritime law.
Our highest priority remains the safety and well-being of the vessel and all crew members on board.
Given the current instability in the region, the DGMM urgently reiterates its call to all Panamanian-flagged vessels to avoid transiting these waters whenever possible. Where avoidance is not feasible, vessels are strongly advised to implement heightened security and surveillance measures in strict adherence to international maritime protection protocols.
The Authority will continue to closely monitor the development of these incidents and will coordinate with diplomatic channels and relevant international organizations to facilitate a swift resolution, reaffirming our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the interests of our fleet and ensuring the security of global navigation.
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