Three Survivors of Hormuz Attack File Suit Against Thai Shipping Line

Three seafarers who survived the March attack on the bulk carrier Mayuree Naree have launched legal action against operator Precious Shipping, with Thailand's Central Labour Court accepting the case on 10 July. The crewmembers, represented by lawyer Kunpat Singhathong, claim they are suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and are no longer able to work, alleging the company failed to provide adequate support.

The 30,000 dwt vessel was struck by two projectiles in its engine room on 11 March while attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran-related hostilities. The ensuing fire trapped three seafarers, who later died, and caused extensive damage to the engine room and neighbouring compartments. The remaining 20 crew abandoned ship and were rescued by the Royal Omani Navy, returning to Thailand on 16 March.

According to reports, the suit accuses the company of negligence for directing the vessel to transit the strait, placing the crew at risk. It alleges the three men received two months' wages plus compensation for lost belongings before being dismissed, despite holding nine-month contracts that had not expired. Medical assessments reportedly indicate the PTSD will require over a year of treatment. The claim, as reported by Reuters, seeks at least one million Thai baht (about US$30,000) for each plaintiff.

Precious Shipping disputes the allegations, stating it provided medical checks, professional psychological counselling and continued support to affected crew and families. In a filing with the Thai Stock Exchange, the company said it had acted in line with applicable laws, contractual obligations and international maritime practice, and that crew welfare remained its highest priority. It added that it had not yet been served with any court documents. The company recently confirmed the repatriation of the three deceased seafarers after a specialist team boarded the grounded vessel off Qeshm Island under difficult conditions.

For Malaysian and Southeast Asian operators, the case highlights the legal and welfare exposure tied to routing crewed vessels through high-risk waters. With the IMO recording 14 seafarer deaths and 52 incidents in the Gulf region, and over 11,000 mariners trapped at the peak, the dispute underscores the growing scrutiny of employer duty of care, mental health provision and voyage-risk decisions across the region's shipping and offshore sectors.