According to Al-Jazeera, French shipping giant CMA CGM has confirmed that one of its container ships came under fire in the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, April 18, 2026, describing the incident as “warning shots.”
The event occurred shortly after Iran briefly declared the strategic waterway open on April 17, only to reimpose restrictions amid ongoing regional tensions linked to the broader Iran conflict.
UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and shipping trackers reported that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats approached vessels attempting to transit the strait.
A tanker was fired upon approximately 20 nautical miles northeast of Oman, with its crew remaining safe.
Multiple CMA CGM vessels—including the CMA CGM Galapagos, Manuas, Everglades, and Diamond—initiated transits but executed U-turns back toward the Arabian Gulf after the incidents.
One CMA CGM container ship was reportedly struck by a projectile, damaging several containers, though no injuries were confirmed.
CMA CGM, the world’s third-largest container shipping company, stated that the affected vessel belonged to its fleet and characterized the shots as warnings rather than a direct attack aimed at causing harm.
The company has not disclosed the exact name of the impacted ship in initial statements, but tracking data pointed to its vessels reversing course around 10:00 GMT.
The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, handles roughly one-fifth of global oil and gas shipments under normal conditions.
It has faced severe disruptions since the escalation of the US-Israel-Iran conflict in late February 2026, with Iran exerting control over navigation and previously allowing limited passages, including earlier CMA CGM transits in March and early April.
This latest flare-up follows a short-lived reopening announced jointly in communications involving Iran and US statements.
Several tankers had successfully crossed before restrictions tightened again, leading to the reported gunfire. Maritime security firms noted IRGC vessels issuing threats to other ships, including an empty cruise liner fleeing the area.
No casualties have been reported across the incidents. However, the events have heightened concerns over maritime safety and global supply chains.
Shipping companies are monitoring the situation closely, with many vessels now avoiding the strait or awaiting clearer guidance.
Analysts warn that renewed instability in Hormuz could drive up energy prices and insurance costs for Gulf shipping.
CMA CGM and other operators have urged caution for vessels in the region while diplomatic efforts continue to stabilize the critical waterway.
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