The Maltese vessel Kribi, belonging to the French shipping group CMA CGM, passed through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday. This is likely the first known transit of a major European shipping group since early March. This was reported by RFI according to MarineTraffic data analyzed by AFP and Reuters news agencies, writes UNN.
Details
Iran sharply restricted access to the Strait of Hormuz after US and Israeli strikes on February 28, which caused a response and disruption of maritime traffic in the region.
Before the conflict, about 20% of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas exports passed through this narrow waterway between Iran and the Musandam Governorate in Oman.
Data showed that Kribi exited the Persian Gulf and was moving off Muscat, Oman, on Friday. During the voyage, the vessel's tracking system indicated "Owner France," a field typically used to denote the destination.
Ship data showed that the vessel changed its stated destination to "Owner France" before entering Iranian territorial waters, signaling its nationality to authorities. It was initially headed for Pointe-Noire in the Republic of Congo.
As the publication notes, it is still unclear how the vessel managed to secure safe passage. CMA CGM did not respond to requests for comment, and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment.
The strait has remained largely closed to international shipping, with passages being minimal since the start of the conflict.
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Navigational data showed that the vessel used a newly approved route through Iranian waters near Larak Island, off the coast of Iran. Lloyd's List shipping journal called this corridor the "Tehran Toll Booth."
An analyst at Lloyd's List Intelligence stated in a briefing on Thursday that "at least two vessels have paid to use the corridor around Larak Island." Marine navigation data analyzed by AFP showed that vessels still passing through the strait are heading close to the island.
Since early March, most vessels crossing the strait have belonged to Iran or countries such as the United Arab Emirates, India, China, or Saudi Arabia.
Analysts noted that some vessels have begun to display ties to China to signal political neutrality and reduce the risk of targeted attack.
Beijing this week expressed "gratitude" after three of its vessels passed through the strait, including two container ships of the state-owned company Cosco.
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