The first Chinese-owned cargo ship crosses Iran’s safe corridor in the Strait of Hormuz

24/03/2026

The first Chinese-owned cargo ship crosses Iran’s safe corridor in the Strait of Hormuz

Strait of Hormuz closure could disrupt global oil supply, impact regional stability, experts warn.

SHANGHAI,(AP), Mar 24: The Chinese-owned vessel sailed through a pay-to-pass corridor between Larak and Qeshm islands that Iran set up earlier this month, according to its location transponder data.

The Panama-flagged ship, Newvoyager, is the first Chinese-owned container ship to transit the corridor, according to the Chinese financial news site Caixin.

The vessel, owned by a shipping company in the Chinese province of Anhui, broadcasted its status as “China Owner” during the transit on Monday, according to Caixin.

Data show the ship set sail from Iranian waters on Sunday and transited out of the strait by Monday.

Iran has insisted that “safe passage” in the Strait of Hormuz is possible for non-enemies. Vessels with ties to India and Pakistan are among those that have already transited the strait.