CS Anthem Becomes Second US-Flagged Ship To Exit Strait Of Hormuz Under Military Escort

The chemical tanker CS Anthem has exited the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the second U.S.-flagged commercial vessel to leave the region under military protection since tensions escalated earlier this year.

Its operator, Crowley-Stena Marine Solutions, confirmed that the vessel completed its transit on Monday without incident.

The company stated that the Crowley-managed ship had safely navigated through the strategic waterway.

Just a day earlier, Alliance Fairfax, a U.S.-flagged vehicle carrier operated by Maersk’s Farrell Lines subsidiary, had also exited the Gulf via the same route.

Maersk said the transit was completed without any issues and that all crew members were safe.

The two vessels were among hundreds of ships stranded in the Gulf after the Strait of Hormuz was effectively shut down in early March.

The disruption followed escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which began on February 28.

Despite the recent movements, several U.S.-flagged vessels remain stuck in the region.

According to sources, three ships are still in the Gulf. One of them, the product tanker Stena Imperative, was struck by two unidentified projectiles while docked at the port of Bahrain in early March.

The attack caused a fire onboard, and the vessel has since been moved to dry dock within the Gulf for repairs.

Efforts are now underway to restore commercial shipping through one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints.

The U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said that American forces are actively supporting safe passage for merchant vessels.

U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are currently operating in the Gulf under a directive known as “Project Freedom.”

According to a report by NBC News citing U.S. officials, both CS Anthem and Alliance Fairfax were carrying U.S. military security teams onboard during their transit.

The report added that Iran launched attacks targeting the vessels while they were moving through the Strait, although representatives from Maersk and Crowley have not commented on those claims.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a vital artery for global energy supplies. Before its disruption, nearly 20% of the world’s oil shipments passed through the narrow passage.

Its partial closure and the blockade of Iranian ports by the United States had significantly impacted global shipping and energy markets.

Sources also indicated that CS Anthem had undergone a crew change weeks before its departure, and its transit out of the Gulf was completed without any reported issues.

References: Reuters, jpost