CMA CGM Ship First Western European Through Hormuz Since War
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- CMA CGM' Malta‑flagged container ship successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz on Friday, marking the first passage by a major Western European firm since the conflict began, according to shipping analyst Kpler.
- Iran has declared that “non‑hostile vessels” may use the waterway, yet the ongoing conflict has halted normal transport activity and left many ships stranded.
- MOL confirmed that a Japanese natural‑gas carrier also exited the strait, stating that the vessel and crew are safe and that safety remains a top priority as operations continue.
- Lloyd's List reported that several ships making the journey on Thursday stayed unusually close to the Omani coast, the opposite side of the strait from Iran.
- Donald Trump posted on Truth Social that the United States could reopen the strait and “take the oil,” expressing frustration with allies for not assisting.
- BBC Verify data from late March showed roughly 100 vessels have passed through the strait since the conflict, about five to six per day, with roughly a third linked to Iran and others to Pakistan and India.
Why it matters: The passage shows that limited commercial traffic can resume despite the war, giving CMA CGM and other shippers a narrow window to move goods while the broader market remains constrained, keeping oil and gas prices high and sustaining inflation pressures worldwide.
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