French-owned container ship passes through Hormuz Strait after Iran conflict

A French container ship has successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first time a Western vessel has done so since Iran effectively closed the waterway in February.

According to Marine Traffic data, the Malta-flagged Kribi, owned by CMA CGM, crossed the strait on April 2. The ship’s route took it south along the coast of Oman, with its destination changed to “Owner France” before entering Iranian territorial waters.

The vessel’s passage was not immediately clear, but it appears that the ship had secured safe passage through a series of changes in its destination and nationality signals. CMA CGM has not commented on the matter.

The Strait of Hormuz is an important waterway for global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, with about 150 vessels passing through since March 1, according to data firm Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Most of these vessels were linked to Iran and countries such as China, India, and Pakistan.

US President Donald Trump has stated that petrol prices will fall once the war concludes, but offered no solution for reopening the Strait. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed skepticism about launching a military operation to open the strait, instead advocating for diplomatic efforts.

Iran’s former foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has suggested that Tehran could make a deal with the US to end the war by offering to curb its nuclear program and reopen the Strait in exchange for sanctions relief.

Source: Al Jazeera