In a significant maritime development, a container ship under French ownership successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, according to tracking data. This voyage may represent the first by a Western European-linked vessel through this vital waterway since Iran imposed restrictions.
The Kribi, managed by the French shipping giant CMA CGM and flying the Maltese flag, embarked from Dubai on Thursday, as reported by the MarineTraffic vessel tracking service. By the following day, the ship had completed its journey through the strait and was navigating southward along Oman’s coastline.
This voyage is noteworthy as it is believed to be the first of a French-owned vessel to traverse the Strait since the onset of US-Israeli military actions against Iran at the close of February. The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow passage between Iran and Oman, is crucial as it channels around 20% of the world’s oil supply.
In response to the conflict, Iran effectively restricted access to the strait, causing considerable disruption. Over 2,000 ships found themselves stranded in waters that previously accommodated approximately 130 vessels daily.
Statistics from Lloyd’s List Intelligence indicate that maritime traffic through the strait has plummeted by roughly 90% since the conflict began, with only about 150 ships, including tankers and container vessels, making the passage since March 1.
Traffic through the strait has dropped by about 90% since then, with just 150 vessels — including tankers and container ships — making the passage since March 1, according to data firm Lloydâs List Intelligence.
Most of those ships have been linked to Iran and the likes of China, India and Pakistan.
It wasn’t immediately clear how the French-owned vessel secured safe passage.
The vessel started passing through the tumultuous waters on the same day French President Emmanuel Macron said it would be unrealistic to launch a military operation to open the Strait.
Macron’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment on whether his government had brokered the ships’ passage.
But following a summit with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Friday, Macron announced the two countries had agreed to work together to help reopen the Strait and stabilize the situation in the Middle East.
He didn’t elaborate on how they planned to help reopen the waterway.
Meanwhile, President Trump insisted the US could open the Strait with a little more time — as slammed allies for not supporting the war against Iran.
“With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL,& MAKE A FORTUNE,” he said in a post on Truth Social on Friday.
The president earlier this week had called on US allies to âstep upâ in helping to reopen the strait.
âThe countries of the world that do receive oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage,â Trump said. âWe will be helpful, but they should take the lead in protecting the oil that they so desperately depend on.â
âI have a suggestion. Number one, buy oil from the United States of America. We have plenty. We have so much. And number two, build up some delayed courage ⦠go to the strait and just take it.â
With Post wires
