French-owned ship passes through Strait of Hormuz
French-owned ship passes through Strait of Hormuz
More than a month after the US-Israeli conflict with Iran effectively shut down the critical transport corridor, a French-owned vessel successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, according to media reports. The Malta-registered container ship, operated by the French company CMA CGM, crossed the strait, as confirmed by the media outlet BFM TV, which is owned by the shipping firm.
CMA CGM has not issued any public statements regarding the journey. This marks the first instance of a major Western European firm’s vessel traversing the strait since the conflict began, as noted by shipping analysts Kpler. Iran had declared that non-hostile vessels could still use the waterway, yet the ongoing hostilities, which have seen several ships attacked, have disrupted normal maritime operations.
Tracking data indicated that the French-owned ship passed near the Omani coastline on the strait’s opposite side from Iran. The cargo it was transporting remains unidentified. Separately, a Japanese vessel carrying natural gas also exited the strait, as confirmed by the shipping giant MOL.
“The safety of the crew and vessel has been verified,” MOL stated. “We remain committed to prioritizing the protection of our crew, cargo, and ships as operations continue.”
Lloyd’s List reported that several vessels passing through the strait on Thursday maintained an unusually close proximity to the Omani coast. US President Donald Trump expressed that the strait could be reopened, but voiced frustration with allies for their lack of support. “With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE,” he wrote on Truth Social. “IT WOULD BE A ‘GUSHER’ FOR THE WORLD???”
About a fifth of global oil and liquid natural gas shipments traverse the Strait of Hormuz from Gulf nations. When the conflict began in late February, shipping was halted, resulting in the stranding of around 200 vessels in nearby waters, according to Lloyd’s List. The significant reduction in traffic through the strait has led to a surge in global oil prices, contributing to rising fuel costs and concerns about worldwide inflation.
Despite the 95% drop in traffic compared to pre-conflict levels, shipping through the narrow waterway has not ceased entirely. As of late March, BBC Verify data revealed about 100 vessels had cleared the strait, with five to six ships transiting daily. Roughly a third of those ships had links to Iran, Verify confirmed, while other vessels were connected to countries such as Pakistan and India.
