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Bloomberg reported earlier today that a container vessel operated by CMA CGM has transited the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first passage of a West-European ship since the escalation of the Iran conflict at the end of February.

The vessel, CMA CGM Kribi, sailing under the Maltese flag, is understood to have crossed the Strait after departing from Dubai waters. During the transit, the ship remained close to the Iranian coastline and identified itself as French through the appropriate maritime communication channels. According to vessel tracking data, it has since continued its route towards the Omani coast, near Muscat.

Since the start of hostilities on 28 February, Iran has significantly tightened its control over the Strait of Hormuz, through which normally around 20% of global oil supply passes. Shipping traffic through the Strait has been severely reduced, with most transits carried out by vessels from Asian countries operating under specific arrangements with Iranian authorities.

Efforts by European governments to secure safe passage for their vessels have so far yielded limited results. However, this transit may signal a cautious reopening, or at least a testing of operational possibilities for European carriers in the Gulf.  The situation remains highly volatile. Earlier this week, ministers from around 40 countries met within the framework of the so-called Hormuz coalition, calling for the immediate and unconditional reopening of the Strait and reaffirming the fundamental principles of freedom of navigation and international maritime law.

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are already impacting global logistics networks: sea and air transport routes are being altered, costs are rising, and supply chains face increasing uncertainty. The longer these heightened tensions persist, the greater the potential for ripple effects across international trade and freight markets.