A container ship indicating French ownership by the shipping and logistics giant, CMA CGM, has reportedly become the first vessel with Western European ties to cross the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the Iran war.

The Maltese-flagged CMA CGM Kribi, belonging to the world’s third-largest container line, sailed eastbound from waters off Dubai on Thursday afternoon.

Ship tracking data showed the vessel broadcasting its French ownership as it transited the Iranian coastline, navigating the approved corridor between the islands of Qeshm and Larak.

The ship had remained idle in the Gulf since early March, like many other non-Iranian vessels, after the conflict sharply curtailed commercial traffic.

CMA CGM, majority-owned by the Saade family, is understood to have coordinated the transit with Iranian maritime authorities.

The vessel is believed to be heading toward Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo as part of a service linking India, the Middle East Gulf and Africa. Its passage follows earlier successful transits by Chinese-linked ships.

The news could encourage other carriers to resume operations if the corridor proves reliable in the coming days.

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Iran in talks with Oman

On Thursday, Iran's deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi also announced that the country is drafting a protocol with Oman to secure traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are allegedly seeking to charge tolls starting at $1 per barrel and considering payment settlements in either Chinese yuan or stablecoins.

There are purportedly discussions about requiring ships to submit detailed data to IRGC-linked intermediaries for approval, with access determined by a country ranking system.

LNG tanker attempts first transit

In another development, an LNG tanker has entered the Strait of Hormuz in what would be the first transit of its kind since the conflict began.

The Sohar LNG vessel, which is not carrying cargo, changed course toward the Qalhat LNG export terminal in Oman and began moving eastward through the waterway on Thursday, according to ship tracking data.

If completed successfully, the passage would represent the first LNG tanker movement since the war started.

The attempt highlights the gradual return of different vessel types to the region.

While container ships have led recent test transits, energy carriers such as tankers and gas vessels had largely avoided the maritime chokepoint because of heightened risks and the suspension of standard insurance coverage.