French-owned ship passes through Strait of Hormuz

French-Owned Vessel Navigates Hormuz Strait Amid Conflict

Over a month after the US-Israeli clash with Iran rendered the Strait of Hormuz nearly impassable, a vessel registered in France successfully traversed the strategic waterway. The Malta-flagged container ship, operated by the French shipping firm CMA CGM, was confirmed to have crossed the strait by BFM TV, a media outlet affiliated with the company. CMA CGM did not issue a statement regarding the event.

Analysts Highlight First Western European Passage

Shipping analysts at Kpler noted this as the initial instance of a major Western European company’s ship navigating the strait since the conflict escalated. While Iran stated that non-hostile vessels could continue using the route, the ongoing hostilities—during which multiple ships were targeted—disrupted regular maritime operations.

Tracking data revealed the French vessel approached the Omani coastline, on the opposite side from Iran, during its journey. The cargo it transported remains unspecified. Concurrently, a Japanese ship carrying natural gas also exited the strait, as confirmed by the Japanese shipping giant MOL.

“The safety of the vessel and all crew members have been confirmed,” MOL stated. “We will continue to prioritize the safety of our crew, cargo, and vessels as operations proceed.”

Strait’s Strategic Role and Traffic Disruption

The Strait of Hormuz serves as a crucial maritime passage, transporting approximately a fifth of the world’s oil and liquid natural gas from Gulf nations. When hostilities began in late February, shipping was suspended, trapping around 200 vessels in the surrounding waters, according to Lloyd’s List. This led to a dramatic decline in traffic, with global oil prices surging and inflation concerns rising worldwide.

Despite the 95% drop in activity compared to pre-conflict levels, some vessels have managed to navigate the strait. By late March, BBC Verify reported about 100 ships had passed through, averaging five to six daily. Roughly a third of these were linked to Iran, while others were associated with countries like Pakistan and India. US President Donald Trump expressed confidence in reopening the strait, stating on Truth Social:

“With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. IT WOULD BE A ‘GUSHER’ FOR THE WORLD???”