Strait of hormuz: France-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker Mraikh, chartered by QatarEnergy, has made history by becoming the first French LNG carrier to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of the Iran-US war. The maritime analytics firm Windward reported this development on Thursday, highlighting the significance of the vessel's passage through the strategic waterway.

According to Anadolu Agency, the Mraikh successfully departed the Gulf after transiting the Strait of Hormuz, although specific details regarding the timing or conditions of its journey remain undisclosed. The ship was transporting LNG loaded in Qatar and was destined for Pakistan after passing through the Gulf of Oman. The Mraikh is operated by Knutsen LNG France, a subsidiary of Norway's Knutsen OAS Shipping based in Nantes.

In a related development, a 14-point memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war was formally finalized with the US on Thursday. This conflict has severely disrupted commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since February 28. Prior to the war, approximately 130 ships traversed the strait each day, a number that has plummeted by over 90% since the conflict began.

During the first 100 days of the war, about 1,000 vessels have managed to transit the waterway, averaging close to 10 ships per day. Most vessels either navigate the designated 'Iranian route' within Iranian waters or deactivate their AIS tracking systems during the passage. The Strait of Hormuz, situated between Iran and Oman, is a crucial global energy corridor that connects Gulf producers to international markets.