First French-Owned Ship Navigates the Strait of Hormuz Amid Conflict

Fri Apr 03 2026 20:17:46 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

A French-owned container ship became the first from a major Western European company to pass through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran.

A Malta-flagged container ship owned by French company CMA CGM is reported to have successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first passage by a major Western European firm since the conflict began over a month ago. The situation in the region remains tense, with ongoing risks to maritime transport amid escalating tensions.

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 organisation BFM TV - which is owned by the shipping company - confirmed on Friday. CMA CGM declined to comment.

This is the first ship owned by a major Western European firm to go through the strait since the conflict began, as shipping analysts Kpler confirmed.

While Iran has said non-hostile vessels can use the waterway, the ongoing conflict has halted normal transport activity, underlining the dangers in the region.

Tracking data showed the French-owned ship passed close to the coast of Oman on the opposite side of the waterway to Iran. The specific cargo of the ship remains unknown.

A Japanese oil tanker also followed the same route out of the Strait of Hormuz, alongside several ships that made the journey through the strait hugging the coast of Oman, according to maritime news and intelligence service Lloyd's List.

US President Donald Trump has expressed willingness to reopen the strait, stating, With a little more time, we can easily OPEN THE HORMUZ STRAIT, TAKE THE OIL, & MAKE A FORTUNE. He claims it would result in a large increase of oil output for the world.

About a fifth of the world's oil and liquid natural gas is transported through the Strait of Hormuz from the Gulf countries. However, since the conflict began in late February, shipping was suspended, leading to approximately 200 vessels being stranded around the waters according to Lloyd's List.

The significant reduction of traffic through the strait has caused global oil prices to surge, affecting fuel prices and raising concerns about rising inflation worldwide.

Despite the dramatic decrease in shipping, approximately 100 vessels have managed to pass through the Strait, with data analyzed by BBC Verify indicating that five to six ships are moving through daily. A significant number of these ships, about one-third, have ties to Iran, while others are linked to countries such as Pakistan and India.