A French-owned container ship has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant development in the ongoing tensions between Iran and Western nations. The Malta-flagged Kribi, owned by CMA CGM, crossed the strait on April 2, becoming the first Western vessel to do so since U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran began at the end of February.
Key Takeaways
A French-owned container ship became the first Western vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz since U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran began, signaling a potential shift in Iran's stance toward France. The Kribi sailed from the Persian Gulf after weeks of restricted passage and is bound for Pointe-Noire in Congo.
- First French-owned ship transits Strait of Hormuz since February war start
- Vessel had been idling in Persian Gulf since early March due to Iranian restrictions
- Only about 150 vessels have passed through the strait since March 1, mostly from Iran and allied nations
- France and South Korea agreed on Friday to cooperate for safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
According to MarineTraffic vessel tracking data reported by TimesLIVE, Reuters and Al Jazeera, the ship is sailing south along the coast of Oman. It had originally been bound for Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo. The passage suggests that Iran may not consider France a hostile nation.
The Strait of Hormuz has been effectively closed due to the war, which previously carried about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the strategic importance of reopening the strait for energy flows and international trade but stressed that this can only be achieved through diplomatic efforts in consultation with Iran.
LSEG shipping data showed that on Thursday, the vessel changed its Automatic Identification System destination to 'Owner France' before entering Iranian territorial waters. This tactic has been used by other ships, including Chinese vessels, to assert neutrality when transiting conflict zones. Meanwhile, only about 150 vessels have transited the strait since March 1, with most linked to Iran and countries like China, India, and Pakistan.
According to UPI, the French ship sailed under the flag of Malta and is believed to have been idling in the Persian Gulf since early March after Iran choked off non-Iranian traffic in response to the war. The ship switched on its transponder and looked to leave the gulf Thursday afternoon after Iran permitted several ships to transit the Strait, including three tankers owned by Japanese company.
France has struck a deal with South Korea to work together to secure safe passage for their vessels through the strait. Both nations rely on oil and gas from the region and said they are working together to deal with economic and energy crises triggered by the war in Iran.
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