A French-owned container ship has sailed through the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first passage by a major Western vessel since the outbreak of war involving Iran and the U.S.-Israeli coalition.
The Malta-flagged Kribi, operated by French shipping giant CMA CGM, crossed the strategic waterway on 2 April, according to vessel-tracking platform Marine Traffic.
The ship is now reported to be sailing south along the coast of Oman, though it remains unclear how it secured safe passage through the strait. CMA CGM has declined to comment.
Shipping analysts at Kpler confirmed that the Kribi is the first vessel owned by a Western European company to transit the waterway since hostilities began on 28 February. While Iran has stated that “non-hostile vessels” may navigate the strait, ongoing attacks on some ships have disrupted normal maritime traffic.
Data from London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) indicated that the vessel changed its destination to “Owner France” shortly before entering Iranian territorial waters, signalling its nationality to authorities. The ship was initially en route to Pointe-Noire in the Republic of the Congo.
Since 1 March, only around 150 vessels - mostly linked to Iran or countries including China, India, and Pakistan - have made the crossing, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. Beijing expressed gratitude earlier this week after three of its ships, including two container vessels from state-owned Cosco, successfully navigated the strait.
Tracking data shows the Kribi hugged the Omani coast, on the side opposite Iran. Details of its cargo have not been disclosed. A Japanese liquefied natural gas carrier also emerged safely from the strait, with shipping company MOL confirming the crew and vessel were unharmed.
Maritime analysts noted that several ships passing through on Thursday stayed unusually close to the Omani shoreline, highlighting the ongoing risks in a waterway that channels roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas.
When the conflict began in late February, shipping operations were largely suspended, leaving nearly 200 vessels stranded in surrounding waters.
The transit of the French-owned container ship signals a cautious resumption of commercial activity in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, though tensions remain high.
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be lengthened by three weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on social media website...
Afghanistan is exploring new business opportunities in cotton, tourism and minerals following trade and investment talks this week with officials f...
Georgia is entering a pivotal economic and geopolitical phase, as talks with China to expand a free trade agreement coincide with renewed progress ...
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over ...
The European Union has introduced new trade restrictions on Kyrgyzstan under its 20th sanctions package against Russia, marking the first time a Ce...
The ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be lengthened by three weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on social media website Truth Social early on Friday (24 April), while stating in a separate earlier post that he was in no rush to make a deal with Iran.
Afghanistan is exploring new business opportunities in cotton, tourism and minerals following trade and investment talks this week with officials from Uzbekistan and Türkiye.
Georgia is entering a pivotal economic and geopolitical phase, as talks with China to expand a free trade agreement coincide with renewed progress on the Anaklia Deep Sea Port.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
The U.S. military has intercepted at least three Iranian-flagged tankers in Asian waters and is redirecting them away from their positions near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday, exclusively to Reuters.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards targeted three vessels, seizing two of them for alleged maritime violations and transferring them to Iranian shores, as U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington is extending its ceasefire with Iran until Tehran submits a proposal.
Two local trains collided head-on north of Copenhagen on Thursday (23 April), injuring 17 people, five of them critically, according to emergency services.
The U.S. military is redirecting at least three Iranian-flagged tankers after intercepting them in Asian waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tehran said U.S. breaches, blockades and threats are undermining “genuine negotiations.”
The European Union is preparing its 20th round of sanctions against Russia over the war in Ukraine. The measures are close to being approved, after earlier delays linked to energy concerns in Slovakia and Hungary eased following repairs to the Druzhba oil pipeline.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 24th of April, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A United States Army soldier has been charged with making more than $400,000 by betting on the removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, according to the Department of Justice.
The European Union adopted its 20th package of sanctions against Russia on Thursday (23 April), introducing sweeping new restrictions aimed at weakening Moscow’s war economy and limiting its capacity to sustain the war in Ukraine.
European Union leaders were set to discuss the bloc’s mutual assistance clause at a summit in southern Cyprus on Thursday, as U.S. President Donald Trump’s criticism of traditional allies raises concerns over his commitment to NATO.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment