The CMA CGM Kribi, flying the Maltese flag and owned by the world's third-largest container shipping company, sailed east from waters near Dubai on Thursday afternoon. Ship tracking data showed the vessel transmitted information indicating French ownership as it passed along the Iranian coast, navigating through an approved corridor between Qeshm and Larak islands.
The ship, like many other non-Iranian vessels, had remained inactive in the Gulf since early March after the conflict significantly reduced commercial traffic. CMA CGM, majority-owned by the Saade family, reportedly coordinated the transit with Iranian maritime authorities.
It is presumed the ship is sailing toward Pointe Noire in the Republic of Congo as part of a service connecting India, the Middle East Gulf, and Africa. Its passage follows earlier successful transits by vessels linked to China.
On Thursday, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also announced that the country is preparing a protocol with Oman to secure traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) reportedly plans to charge fees starting at one dollar per barrel, with the possibility of payment in Chinese yuan or stable cryptocurrencies.
There is also reportedly a consideration for ships to submit detailed data to intermediaries linked with the IRGC for approval, with access determined based on a country ranking system.