First European ship sails through Strait of Hormuz
Photo: CMA CGM container ship (Getty Images)
A container ship operated by French company CMA CGM has become the first vessel registered in Western Europe to pass through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war in Iran, Bloomberg reports.
According to vessel tracking data, the container ship CMA CGM Kribi departed waters near Dubai toward Iran on Thursday, April 2, signaling France as its owner. It stayed close to the Iranian coastline, moving through the channel between Qeshm and Larak, in line with an approved corridor.
This morning, the container ship signaled that it had passed the strait and was near Muscat.
Like many other non-Iranian vessels, CMA CGM Kribi had been idling in the Persian Gulf since early March after the conflict led to a sharp drop in commercial activity.
The French company said that 14 of its vessels remain stuck in the Persian Gulf and are unable to pass through the strait.
Situation around the Strait of Hormuz
After the start of the US and Israeli operation against Iran, Tehran blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy artery of the world. Around 20% of global oil consumption and a significant share of liquefied natural gas pass through it.
Notably, The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump told his aides he is ready to end the war against Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.
Later, the American President said the war with Iran could end soon, adding that other countries using the strait would be able to reopen it themselves.
Yesterday, French President Emmanuel Macron said he considers any attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by military means "unrealistic." In his view, such an operation would take an indefinite amount of time and expose its participants to risks.
