French and Japanese Ships Make First Hormuz Crossings: A Timeline of the Crisis
French and Japanese commercial vessels have completed their first transits through the Strait of Hormuz since the crisis began in early March 2026, marking a significant shift in the reopening dynamic. Until this week, successful transits had been limited almost exclusively to Chinese, Indian, and Gulf-state flagged vessels operating under tacit Iranian approval. The passage of vessels linked to two major US-allied nations signals either a deliberate Iranian concession or, more likely, the result of backroom diplomatic coordination that has not yet been made public.
UKMTO confirmed the crossings on April 5, noting that both vessels — a French-flagged crude tanker and a Japanese-operated VLCC under a Panamanian flag — transited the strait's Traffic Separation Scheme without incident. Neither vessel reported being challenged or escorted by Iranian naval forces, a departure from the escort requirements imposed on earlier transits.
Timeline of the Hormuz Crisis
February 28, 2026: Iran announces expanded naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, citing regional security concerns. Commercial shipping continues but with elevated caution. UKMTO issues advisory notice.
March 4, 2026: IRGCN forces board and briefly detain a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker transiting the strait. The vessel is released after 14 hours, but the incident triggers a cascade of route diversions.
March 7-9, 2026: Multiple tanker operators suspend Hormuz transits. War risk insurance premiums spike to levels not seen since 2019. Clarksons reports a 60% drop in daily transit numbers within 48 hours.
March 12, 2026: Iran effectively closes the strait to non-compliant traffic by deploying fast attack craft and issuing warnings to approaching vessels. Daily transits fall below 10.
March 18, 2026: The US announces the $40 billion insurance backstop facility to underwrite Hormuz transits. The measure stabilizes insurance markets but does not immediately restore traffic volumes.
March 22-28, 2026: Chinese and Indian-flagged vessels begin regular transits under what appears to be an informal understanding with Iranian authorities. Gulf-state flagged vessels follow.
April 1-3, 2026: Transit numbers rise to approximately 35 per day, but Western-allied flagged vessels remain absent. IMO Secretary-General calls the situation "untenable" and urges multilateral engagement.
April 5, 2026: French and Japanese-linked vessels complete crossings without escort or challenge, raising questions about whether Iran is broadening access or whether specific diplomatic arrangements are in place.
What Do These Crossings Mean for Ports?
For terminal operators, the French and Japanese transits are operationally significant. If Western-allied vessels can now transit Hormuz, the pool of arriving vessels expands considerably, and scheduling patterns may begin to normalize. However, BIMCO has cautioned members against assuming that these crossings establish a precedent. Each transit remains subject to conditions that can change without notice.
What Should Terminal Security Teams Monitor?
Ports receiving vessels from the Gulf should verify the specific transit conditions for each arrival. The absence of an Iranian escort during the French and Japanese crossings may indicate relaxed controls, or it may reflect a one-time arrangement. Until a clear pattern emerges, pre-arrival screening should treat every Hormuz transit as a case requiring individual verification.
Are Insurance Terms Changing?
War risk underwriters are watching the French and Japanese crossings closely. If additional Western-allied vessels transit successfully, premium rates may begin to decline from their current elevated levels. However, the London market remains cautious, and most policies still include Hormuz-specific exclusion clauses that require separate coverage. Terminal operators should not assume that arriving cargo is fully insured without confirming voyage-specific terms.
Conclusion
The first French and Japanese Hormuz crossings are a meaningful development, but they do not yet constitute a trend. The crisis timeline shows a pattern of incremental progress punctuated by setbacks. Port operators and security teams should prepare for a prolonged period of uncertainty where each week's traffic profile may differ significantly from the last. The ability to adapt screening, scheduling, and security postures in near real-time is no longer a future aspiration — it is an operational requirement.