First French-Owned Ship Passes Through Conflict-Affected Strait of Hormuz

Sun Apr 05 2026 14:06:06 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a significant development amidst ongoing tensions, a French-owned container ship successfully traversed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first passage by a major Western firm since conflict escalated in the region.

A French-owned container ship operated by CMA CGM has crossed the Strait of Hormuz, the first major European vessel to do so since the onset of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Despite Iran's assurances regarding non-hostile vessels, transport activities have been significantly disrupted, causing a decrease in maritime traffic through this critical oil shipping route.

A French-owned ship has passed through the Strait of Hormuz, more than a month after the US-Israeli war with Iran effectively closed the vital transport route.

The Malta-flagged container ship owned by French company CMA CGM crossed the Strait, media organization BFM TV - which is owned by the shipping company - confirmed on Friday. CMA CGM declined to comment.

This event signifies the first ship owned by a major Western European firm to navigate the strait since the conflict began, as confirmed by shipping analysts Kpler.

While Iran has stated that non-hostile vessels can utilize the waterway, the ongoing conflict has led to several ships being attacked, significantly hindering normal transport activity.

Tracking data indicates that the French-owned ship passed close to the coast of Oman, opposite Iran. The cargo of the ship remains undisclosed.

A Japanese oil tanker also followed a similar route out of the Strait of Hormuz.

Recent maritime intelligence reports show that several ships making the journey through the strait have maintained a course unusually close to Oman’s coast.

US President Donald Trump has suggested that America could aid in reopening the strait, stating, With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE.

About one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquid natural gas is transported through the Strait of Hormuz from Gulf countries, making its security crucial globally.

However, since the conflict's escalation in late February, shipping has largely been suspended, leaving approximately 200 vessels stranded in surrounding waters, according to Lloyd's List.

This dramatic halt in traffic has contributed to soaring global oil prices, leading to concerns about rising fuel costs and higher inflation worldwide.

While maritime traffic has decreased by about 95% compared to pre-conflict levels, shipping through the strait has not halted entirely. Recent analysis indicates that about 100 vessels have successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, averaging five to six ships daily, with a significant portion linked to Iranian interests as well as to Pakistan and India.