French LNG Tanker First Vessel Through Hormuz Since Closure
The French-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker "Mraikh" departed the Arabian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, marking the first time a French vessel has transited this strategic waterway since the outbreak of regional conflict. Owned by a subsidiary of Norway's "Knutsen OAS Shipping," based in Nantes, France, the tanker was carrying 76,353 tons of LNG loaded from Ras Laffan, Qatar, destined for Port Qasim, Pakistan. This passage follows the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran to de-escalate tensions, which includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, effectively closed since February. Shipping companies and Gulf authorities remain cautious, as details about new transit mechanisms, passage conditions, potential fees, maritime security arrangements, and lingering risks are still unclear. Analysts anticipate a gradual resumption of navigation in the Strait, possibly through a joint traffic management system involving Iran and Oman. Maritime stakeholders are also querying the necessity of prior permits, the potential imposition of additional charges, the acceptance of foreign naval escorts, and concerns regarding sea mines. Pre-conflict data underscores the challenge: the Strait previously saw 650 to 770 vessels weekly, equating to 90 to 110 daily trips in both directions. However, a return to such activity levels seems distant, given the unprecedented nature of reopening a strait after a closure of this scale, reinforcing expectations of a phased recovery rather than an immediate return to full capacity.
