A Malta-flagged, French-owned container vessel, the Kribi, has passed through the Strait of Hormuz using a route controlled by Iran, highlighting ongoing shifts in one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.
Tehran has been directing ships away from the central commercial shipping lane towards what it describes as a “safe corridor” within its territorial waters.
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The alternative route steers vessels northwards, close to Larak Island, where Iran’s Revolutionary Guards can visually monitor passing traffic.
Data tracking shows the Kribi followed this path on 2 April, maintaining its tracking signal while within Iranian waters. After exiting the strait, however, the vessel’s signal was switched off, as indicated by a dashed line in the tracking record.
Strait Of Hormuz Shipping Route Changes And Iran’s ‘Safe Corridor’
The vessel is owned by French shipping giant CMA CGM and had reportedly altered its listed destination to “FRENCH OWNER” before entering the strait. This move is widely seen as an attempt to clearly identify ownership to Iranian authorities during transit.
Iran’s diversion strategy has drawn attention from maritime observers, with the route sometimes referred to as “Tehran’s tollbooth” due to suggestions that ships may be required to pay for safe passage.
Reports Of Transit Fees And Uncertainty Around Passage Costs
According to analysts at Lloyd’s List, at least two vessels have paid as much as $2 million (£1.5 million) to navigate the strait under current conditions. It remains unclear how the Kribi secured its transit or whether any payment was made.
French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the situation, warning against military intervention to reopen the waterway.
“The strait must be reopened because it is strategic for energy flows, fertilisers and international trade, but it can only be done in consultation with Iran,” he said.
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