HIGHECONOMICVERIFIED
CMA CGM Kribi becomes first Western European vessel to transit Hormuz since Iran blockade began
·Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf
The CMA CGM Kribi, a Malta-flagged container vessel owned by French shipping giant CMA CGM, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday April 2 — the first known Western European-owned ship to do so since Iran effectively closed the strait in late February. The vessel switched its destination to 'Owner France' to signal its nationality to Iranian authorities, then turned off its AIS transponder during passage.
Marine Traffic and LSEG shipping data confirmed on Friday April 3 that the Malta-flagged Kribi, owned by France's CMA CGM, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday April 2, becoming the first Western European-linked shipping company to make the passage since the start of the Iran war. The vessel signalled its French ownership by changing its destination field to 'Owner France' before crossing Iranian territorial waters, appearing to secure passage through the de facto blockade. AIS transponders were switched off during the crossing. Omani-linked tankers (three very large crude carriers) and a Japanese Mitsui OSK Lines LNG tanker (Sohar LNG) also transited around the same time. The crossing signals a potential softening of Iran's blanket shipping restrictions, or that Iran is selectively allowing vessels from certain nations to pass — a development with significant implications for global energy supply chains and diplomatic leverage.
HormuzCMA CGMshippingblockadeWestern transiteconomic
Actor responses
Iran has not publicly commented on the CMA CGM passage; appears to have selectively permitted the French-flagged transit.
No immediate US comment on the first Western European Hormuz transit.
Sources
T1Marine Traffic / LSEG shipping data9% reliability