Beijing expresses gratitude for assistance as three Chinese vessels navigate the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz amid regional tensions.
BEIJING: China expressed gratitude on Tuesday for the safe passage of three of its vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning confirmed the transits occurred following coordination with relevant parties.
“We express our gratitude to the relevant parties for the assistance provided,” Mao told a regular press conference. She did not specifically name Iran or provide details on the third vessel.
Two identified ships, the CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean, passed through the strait on Monday. Tracking data from MarineTraffic showed the ultra-large container vessels transited close to the Iranian-controlled island of Larak.
Both ships belong to the Chinese state-owned shipping giant Cosco. The company declined to comment on the transits when contacted by AFP.
The vessels are now bound for Port Klang in Malaysia. Their passage follows a previous aborted transit attempt last Friday.
Shipping through the strait has slowed dramatically since Iran effectively blocked access. This action was a response to US-Israeli attacks on the country during the ongoing Middle East conflict.
Iran has stated the Strait of Hormuz remains open to ships from “friendly countries”. Tehran maintains robust diplomatic relations with Beijing.
Separately, Cosco announced it is resuming bookings for shipments from Asia to several Gulf nations. The Shanghai-based firm had suspended bookings for Hormuz routes earlier in March due to the war.
Its resumed services will not use routes transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
