Container ship in the Iraqi port of Um-Qasr on Monday MSC Sariska V was hit by two bullets. The shipping company announced that the first impact occurred while the pilot was on board during the departure of the ship from the port and the second struck shortly after the area intended for the crew. In a note, MSC specified that "All crew members are safe, unharmed and have acted with exceptional professionalism throughout the accident to secure the ship and its cargo". In addition, MSC specified that, "according to reports from the local media, the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for the attack in response to the US actions against the Lion Star ship".

MSC denounced that "this retaliatory action is completely unjustified on the basis of the accusations made by the IRGC, as MSC is a commercial carrier neutral and has no affiliation with the United States or Israel. Founded by Italian citizen Captain Gianluigi Aponte, the company has its registered and operational headquarters in Switzerland and is wholly owned by owned by his children, Diego and Alexa Aponte, both of whom are Italian citizens and those without other citizenships. MSC expresses deep concern about these unprovoked attacks and the risk they pose to their innocent seafarers and to the maritime trade essential in the region".

The president of the Association of Italian Ports (Assoporti), Roberto Petri, expressed "the most sincere closeness and solidarity with the CEO of MSC and the entire MSC group following the serious attack that hit the MSC ship Sariska V in the waters of the Persian Gulf".

"I would like - said Petri - to express the full solidarity with the Aponte family and the whole community maritime of the company for this umpteenth episode that affects international maritime transport and puts safety at risk of sea workers. MSC represents a reality strategic for the Italian and European logistics and port system. The company plays a key role in ensuring the continuity of supply chains, competitiveness of our ports and the growth of the economy national team. Attacks like this don't just affect a single undertaking, but jeopardize the safety of navigation, freedom of trade and stability of trade international ones".