French Vessel First to Navigate Strait of Hormuz Since Iran War

The CMA CGM Kribi, a container ship owned by the French company CMA CGM SA, has made headlines by becoming the first vessel to traverse the Strait of Hormuz since the beginning of the war in Iran. This information was reported by Bloomberg and relayed by Ukrinform.

According to vessel tracking data, the CMA CGM Kribi departed from waters near Dubai heading towards Iran on Thursday afternoon local time. The French-owned vessel maintained a course close to the Iranian coastline, navigating through the channel between the islands of Qeshm and Larak while openly broadcasting its route. By Friday morning, it reported that it had successfully crossed the strait and was located near Muscat.

Two informed sources confirmed to the publication that the ship had indeed crossed the strait, an important step given the escalating tensions in the region.

Iran has tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz following attacks from the United States and Israel, significantly reducing maritime traffic. However, Tehran has allowed certain vessels from friendly nations to pass through on pre-approved routes. At the same time, Iran has threatened to attack ships that are allies of the U.S. or Israel, raising risks for international shipping in this strategically vital region.

U.S. allies, including France, are actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to alleviate the crisis, but no substantial progress has been reported thus far. This highlights the complexity of the situation and the necessity for a cautious approach to security issues in the Strait of Hormuz.

The CMA CGM Kribi, which flies the Maltese flag, has a capacity of approximately 5,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). Draft measurements indicate that the ship is deeply submerged in the water, suggesting it is heavily loaded. This vessel is smaller than the Chinese ships owned by state company Cosco Shipping Corp., which have a capacity of nearly 19,000 TEU and recently departed from the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz.

Both CMA CGM and Cosco are key members of a container shipping alliance, an agreement that allows them to share routes and space on vessels. This collaboration amid rising regional tensions is crucial for ensuring stability in international shipping.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, three Chinese vessels recently passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning confirmed this information on March 31, hinting at coordination with Iranian authorities, which underscores the importance of international cooperation in this context.

French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed yesterday that France would not assist the U.S. in 'opening' the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that the restoration of this strategic route is only possible after consultations with Iran and a ceasefire, indicating a desire for a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

In conclusion, at France's initiative, the Group of Seven (G7) countries and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) will hold a joint meeting next week to discuss the situation surrounding the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. This reflects the active efforts of the international community to stabilize the situation in the region, which is critical for the global economy.