French, Japanese, and Omani Ships Transit Strait of Hormuz

Breakthrough in the Strait: French and Japanese Vessels Brave Iranian Waters

For the first time since Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, Western and Asian commercial ships have successfully navigated the contested waterway. In a high-stakes move for global trade, a French container ship, a Japanese gas carrier, and several Omani tankers crossed the strait, signaling a potential shift in the maritime standoff.

The First Western Transit Since the Conflict

The Malta-flagged Kribi, owned by the French shipping giant CMA CGM, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 2. This marks the first known instance of a Western vessel making the passage since Iranian forces established a de facto closure of the waterway.

Joining the French vessel were a Japanese-owned gas carrier linked to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and three tankers linked to Oman. While these ships successfully navigated the route, the exact nature of the agreements or security measures that allowed their safe passage remains unclear.

Tactical Maneuvers: The “Owner France” Signal

To secure passage through Iranian territorial waters, the vessels employed specific signaling and stealth tactics. Shipping data from LSEG revealed that the Kribi changed its Automatic Identification System (AIS) destination to “Owner France” before entering the area. This was a deliberate move to signal the nationality of the ship’s owner to Iranian authorities.

vessel-tracking data indicates that the ships likely switched off their AIS transponders during the actual crossing, causing their signals to disappear from public tracking systems until they reached safer waters. By early Friday, the Japanese vessel was spotted off Muscat, Oman, while the French ship continued sailing south along the Omani coast.

The Geopolitical Backdrop: A Global Standoff

This transit occurs amidst severe international tension. On March 19, 2026, a coalition of nations—including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan, and Canada—issued a joint statement condemning Iran’s actions.

The coalition strongly denounced several Iranian activities, including:

• The de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
• Attacks on unarmed commercial vessels in the Gulf.
• The laying of mines and the employ of drone and missile attacks to block commercial shipping.
• Attacks on civilian oil and gas infrastructure.

The international community has called on Iran to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2817, emphasizing that the disruption of global energy supply chains and interference with international shipping constitute a direct threat to international peace, and security.

Key Takeaways: Maritime Transit in Hormuz

• First Western Passage: The CMA CGM-owned Kribi is the first Western ship to cross since the closure.
• Strategic Signaling: Vessels used AIS destination updates (e.g., “Owner France”) to communicate ownership to Iran.
• Stealth Tactics: Transponders were disabled during the crossing to avoid tracking.
• Legal Basis: Global powers are citing the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and UNSC Resolution 2817 to demand freedom of navigation.

Looking Ahead

The successful transit of these vessels provides a glimmer of hope for the restoration of commercial shipping in one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints. However, with the conflict ongoing and the “de facto closure” still a reality for most, the world remains watchful. Whether this represents a permanent reopening or a series of isolated exceptions will depend on Iran’s willingness to cease its threats and adhere to international maritime law.