Merchant Ship Transits Strait of Hormuz Amid Rising Tensions
A Western-owned merchant vessel has navigated the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the onset of the Iran conflict, prompting discussions about whether the ship’s owner paid a supposed $2 million “Tehran tax.”
The Maltese-flagged container ship, Kribi, which is French-owned, departed from the Persian Gulf on Thursday night, successfully passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This move has been reported by L’Agence France Presse. The ship was notable for operating its radio broadcast transponder (AIS), making it the first cargo ship from the West to make such a journey since early March, coinciding with the beginning of the joint US-Israeli operation, Epic Fury.
Kribi, owned by the Marseille-based shipping group Compagnie maritime d’affrètement – Compagnie générale maritime (CMA CGM), transmitted the message “OWNER FRANCE” while making its passage. Interestingly, this isn’t the first time China has sought to showcase its neutrality, as a Chinese vessel similarly identified itself during an earlier transit to sidestep threats of drone attacks.
In fact, a Chinese-owned ship was struck and ignited by Iranian forces in the Persian Gulf on March 12.
It’s possible that other Western-owned ships have also traversed the strait under the cover of darkness with their AIS turned off. Just recently, Reuters pointed out that a Greek-operated oil tanker may have attempted this riskier strategy to minimize its visibility.
Iran has long issued warnings about potentially closing the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway through which 20% of the world’s oil trade by sea flows daily, primarily to Asian markets.
With the United States conducting a month-long campaign targeting Iran’s naval capabilities and infrastructure, it raises questions regarding Iran’s current level of control over the strait. Nonetheless, the psychological impact of the situation remains significant.
Former President Trump urged nations that would benefit from keeping the strait open, including France, to participate in safeguarding it. However, President Emmanuel Macron has distanced himself from these conflicts, calling the suggestion to use the navy for this purpose “unrealistic.”
The successful passage of the French vessel has led to speculation that France might be the first Western nation to comply with Iran’s demand for tolls. This follows reports of Chinese vessels paying such fees. While $2 million may seem minor compared to the ship’s worth, it could total billions annually in protection payments to Tehran, as traffic through the area has increased.
Iran’s payment system has drawn comparisons to toll booths, suggesting a sort of tax on passing vessels.
If this is the case, it may indicate a divergence between France and its partners on how to engage with Iran. Although the UK has criticized the US’s military actions and avoided direct involvement, it has been tasked with leading a future international mission to secure the Channel.
The British government recently expressed strong opposition to the notion of Iran assaulting ships in the Channel, urging for the “immediate and unconditional reopening” of maritime routes. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized that Iran should not be allowed to threaten the global economy over these maritime tensions and called for a united front against any imposition of transit tolls.
CMA CGM ranks as the third-largest container shipping company globally, a sector largely dominated by European and East Asian enterprises. Israel’s ZIM Shipping stands as the largest container operator outside of the Euro-Asia region.
