Two Chinese Container Ships Attempt Hormuz Exit Before U-Turning

The CSCL Indian Ocean (in white) and CSCL Arctic Ocean attempted to exit the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Friday before making a U-turn near Iran. Source: BloombergArticle content(Bloomberg) — Two large container ships linked to China’s state-owned Cosco Shipping Corp. attempted to exit the Persian Gulf on Friday through the Strait of Hormuz, before making an abrupt U-turn near Iran and motoring back.Sign In or Create an AccountEmail AddressContinueor View more offersArticle contentThe CSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean both changed their signaling to Chinese owner and crew, and traveled northeast from waters off Dubai before turning back near Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands near the narrow opening of the strait, according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg.Article contentWe apologize, but this video has failed to load.Try refreshing your browser, ortap here to see other videos from our team.Article contentArticle contentThe tactic of signaling Chinese ownership has been used before in an effort to ensure safe passage through the waterway, including by a bulk carrier and a fuel tanker, which successfully exited the Gulf. It’s the first time Cosco Shipping vessels have attempted to transit out via Hormuz.Article contentTop StoriesGet the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.There was an error, please provide a valid email address.Sign UpBy signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.Thanks for signing up!A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againInterested in more newsletters? Browse here.Article contentThe Iran war has effectively closed the crucial waterway, choking off supply of crude, natural gas and oil products from the Gulf to global markets and driving up energy prices. Vessel traffic has slowed to a trickle, with Tehran-linked vessels including liquefied petroleum gas carriers transiting recently.Article contentIran has tightened its grip over the Strait of Hormuz through a combination of attacks on vessels and verbal threats, forcing owners to leave ships inside the Gulf, or refusing to let ships navigate into the region via the waterway. Some have appeared to leave by a Tehran-approved route, while the nation has also said it plans to start imposing a toll to transit the strait.Article contentThe beneficial owners of the two container ships, which entered the Persian Gulf in late February, are listed as Cosco Shipping Development Co., a subsidiary of Cosco Shipping Corp., according to ship-tracking data compiled by Bloomberg. The two vessels are Hong Kong-flagged, the data shows.Article contentArticle contentA call to Shanghai Ocean Shipping Co., the ships’ manager shown on database Equasis, was directed to Cosco Shipping Lines Co. A person who answered the phone at Cosco Shipping Lines didn’t respond to a request for comment. The company didn’t immediately respond to an email sent to its Shanghai office.Article contentCSCL Indian Ocean and CSCL Arctic Ocean can carry about 19,000 twenty-foot equivalent containers, and were among the world’s largest container ships at the time of construction around a decade ago. Aside from the container ships, Cosco also has at least six crude tankers stuck inside the Gulf since the war began, according to the ship-tracking data.Article contentTrending Meet the Canadian e-bike maker who is redefining the factory floor Electric Vehicles Iran oil revenue soars as it's the only exporter out of Hormuz Oil & Gas Markets could be making the wrong call on interest rates Investor Quebec demands Air Canada’s CEO resignation in 92 to 0 vote Airlines LNG Canada signs key pipeline agreement required for phase two expansion Energy Share this article in your social networkCommentsYou must be logged in to join the discussion or read more comments.Create an AccountSign in Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Meet the Canadian e-bike maker who is redefining the factory floor Electric Vehicles Iran oil revenue soars as it's the only exporter out of Hormuz Oil & Gas Markets could be making the wrong call on interest rates Investor Quebec demands Air Canada’s CEO resignation in 92 to 0 vote Airlines LNG Canada signs key pipeline agreement required for phase two expansion Energy