The LNG tanker Mraikh, sailing under the French flag and chartered by QatarEnergy, has become the first French LNG carrier to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the outbreak of the Iran–US war, according to maritime analytics firm Windward.
The vessel departed the Gulf after successfully passing through the strategic waterway. No immediate details were available regarding the exact timing or conditions of its transit.
Mraikh was carrying LNG loaded in Qatar and was en route to Pakistan after passing through the Gulf of Oman.
The tanker is operated by Knutsen LNG France, a subsidiary of Knutsen OAS Shipping.
On Thursday, a 14-point memorandum of understanding with the United States was officially finalized, aiming to bring an end to the conflict.
Commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been significantly disrupted since February 28 due to the US–Israel–Iran war.
Why It Matters
- The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints, handling a significant share of global oil and LNG exports.
- The successful transit of the Mraikh may be viewed as a positive sign for the gradual normalization of maritime traffic in the region.
- Any disruption in Hormuz can have major consequences for global energy prices and international trade.
