A French-operated container ship became the first vessel of a major liner to exit the Strait of Hormuz since Iran asserted control of the gateway to the Persian Gulf.
The 5,500-TEU CMA CGM Kribi crossed the narrow passage Thursday on its way out of the Persian Gulf. Online tracking showed the ship broadcast an “owner France” identification message.
It’s unknown what terms the liner company agreed to in order to make the Malta-flagged ship’s transit unmolested. Tehran has been reported to have charged a toll to permit other vessels safe passage.
CMA CGM was the lone major carrier to continue scheduled operations through the Red Sea after Houthi rebels in Yemen shut down the Suez Canal route in 2024. A United Nations report claimed the militia had extorted billions of dollars to pause attacks on vessels.
The Marseille-based company operates its Medex, Mex and Bex2 services connecting Asia and the Mediterranean through the Red Sea.
While the Kribi may represent some small progress in moving cargo and trying to moderate the war’s spreading effect on global rates, that didn’t stop CMA CGM on Friday from announcing May 1 peak season surcharges on shipments from Asia to North America. Those surcharges are $1,800 per 20-foot; $2,000 per 40-foot, and $2,530 per 45-foot containers.
Iran and Oman are reportedly discussing how to manage control of the strait. On Thursday the United Kingdom convened 35 countries – excluding the United States – for discussions on how to reopen the critical trade route for global oil and gas supplies.
The Kribi’s transit was first reported by Lloyd’s List.
Read more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Related coverage:
Rubio: China ‘bullying’ Panama by detaining ships
Strait of Hormuz closure pushes Asia-US ocean rates up 29%
Trump mulls Iran exit without re-opening Strait of Hormuz; new attack on tanker
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