A French container ship and a Japanese-owned tanker have recently navigated the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first successful transits since conflict in Iran closed the vital waterway over a month ago. The container ship, CMA CGM Kribi, exited the strait on Friday, according to ship tracking data from Bloomberg. This vessel is linked to Western Europe and is the first to pass through during the ongoing hostilities. Additionally, Mitsui OSK Lines confirmed that the liquefied natural gas tanker it partially owns also crossed the strait.
Since the onset of U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz had nearly ceased, with only a few ships, mostly affiliated with nations friendly to Tehran, able to navigate the area. These vessels typically follow an Iranian-approved route close to the coast. The recent passage of the French and Japanese ships suggests a potential shift in maritime operations, although it remains unclear if this is due to government intervention or independent negotiations.
Both France and Japan have called for a ceasefire, highlighting the need to reopen the strait. France’s President Macron emphasized that such reopening hinges on halting military actions. Meanwhile, Iran is reportedly instituting a toll system for vessels traversing the strait, raising concerns among Gulf Arab states dependent on this route for oil and gas exports.
