* The Zefyros was carrying condensate products from Basra

Gas Co

* All 23 crew safe and accounted for

* At least 16 vessels have been attacked in Gulf during

war

(Adds detail on attack, Thai, Hapag incidents, in paragraphs 2,

4-11)

LONDON, March 12 (Reuters) - The Zefyros tanker was

struck by a projectile overnight during a ship-to-ship transfer

in Iraqi waters, its Greece-based manager said on Thursday.

The incident occurred at Iraq's Umm Qasar anchorage during a

fuel cargo transfer with the Safesea Vishnu tanker late on

Wednesday, Benetech Shipping SA said.

"All 23 crew members are safe and accounted for. They have

been evacuated and were brought to shore," it said in a

statement, adding the vessel's condition was being assessed.

The Safesea Vishnu was chartered by an Iraqi company

contracted with the State Organization for Marketing of Oil,

SOMO said, adding the Zefyros was loaded with condensate

products from Basra Gas Company and was in a ship-to-ship

loading area in Iraqi waters.

At least 16 tankers and other vessels have come under attack

in the Gulf during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran while hundreds

more have dropped anchor due to Tehran's threat to attack nearby

shipping.

Explosives-laden Iranian boats appeared to have attacked the

two tankers in Iraqi waters on Wednesday, setting them ablaze

and killing one crew member, according to sources.

Around 20,000 seafarers aboard vessels operating in the

region face "a dangerous and highly uncertain security

situation", said Joe Kramek, president and chief executive of

the World Shipping Council.

"Seafarers are not part of this conflict, yet they are

increasingly caught in its path."

Thailand's foreign ministry said it had conveyed its

"strongest protest" to Iran's ambassador after two projectiles

of unknown origin struck the Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree dry bulk

vessel on Wednesday, causing a fire and damaging the engine

room.

The ministry said the Iranian ambassador expressed

condolences and gave assurances to promptly convey Thailand's

protest to Tehran.

German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd ( HLAGF ) said on

Thursday that projectile fragments hit container vessel Source

Blessing near the Strait of Hormuz at the southern tip of the

Gulf near Iran.

It said the ship, which chartered to Danish container line

Maersk, was not directly hit but had caught fire.

All crew were safe, it said.