Several vessels, including French container ship, pass through strait of Hormuz

Reports say CMA CGM vessel and three tankers linked to Oman have exited the Gulf despite the ongoing blockade Several ships have now passed through the strait of Hormuz, according to reports, as shipping companies and international leaders scramble to get vital cargo through the waterway. A container ship owned by the French shipping company CMA CGM had sailed out of the Gulf, the Financial Times reported, citing the tracking data analyst MarineTraffic. It is believed to be the first ship owned by a western shipping line to have made the journey through the strait, which in normal times carries about a fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies and has been effectively closed since the start of the war in Iran in late February. The CMA CGM Kribi ship, which sails under the flag of Malta, is reported to have switched on its transponder near the coast off Dubai on 28 March before passing through the strait with cargo. The vessel then reportedly went around Larak Island, near the coast of Iran, which has become a popular route for ships making the transit. The blockade has pushed up oil and gas prices around the world, and concerns are growing about food security, as a third of the glo