French-linked container ship exits Strait of Hormuz

A container ship signaling French ownership has successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz, marking what appears to be the first known passage by a Western European-linked vessel since the war in the region disrupted normal maritime traffic.

The CMA CGM Kribi, a Maltese-flagged ship operated by France’s CMA CGM SA, sailed from waters off Dubai toward Iran on the afternoon of April 2, according to ship-tracking data. The vessel remained close to the Iranian coast, navigating a channel between the islands of Qeshm and Larak while openly broadcasting its journey. By the morning of April 3, the ship was reported off the coast of Muscat, Oman. Two sources familiar with the transit confirmed the crossing to Bloomberg.

Since the U.S. and Israel carried out attacks on Iran on February 28, Tehran has tightened control over the Strait of Hormuz, a key chokepoint that normally handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments. Shipping has been reduced to a trickle, with Iran allowing only vessels from friendly nations to follow pre-approved routes, while threatening action against ships linked to the U.S. or Israel. France and other Western allies have initiated diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, though no breakthrough has been reported.

CMA CGM SA, the world’s third-largest container line, is majority-owned by the Saadé family. The company traces its origins to 1978 in Marseille, when founder Jacques Saadé, who emigrated from Lebanon, started the business with a single leased vessel.

Ship-tracking in the Strait of Hormuz has been complicated by intense signal jamming and occasional signal spoofing, making monitoring of vessel movements less precise. In addition to the CMA CGM Kribi, three other ships were reported to have exited the Gulf on April 2 along the Omani coastline, signaling Omani ownership.

By Sabina Mammadli