Crowley has announced that one of its managed ships has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz. This provides more insight into the few U.S.-flagged ships that have left the Persian Gulf since the conflict began. I...
Crowley has announced that one of its managed ships has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz. This provides more insight into the few U.S.-flagged ships that have left the Persian Gulf since the conflict began.
In its statement, Crowley Maritime mentioned that the vessel CS Anthem “has safely completed its transit through the Strait of Hormuz.”
The company emphasized, “The safety of our crews and vessels, as well as the ongoing service for our customers, are our main priorities.” They also acknowledged the “professionalism of U.S. Navy and government partners who work around the world to ensure maritime safety.”
Crowley did not share additional operational details, citing a policy of not disclosing specifics about vessel routes or security arrangements.
The CS Anthem is now one of only two U.S.-flagged commercial ships confirmed to have navigated these waters under the newly initiated “Project Freedom” operation by the Trump administration, which aims to evacuate ships through Oman's territorial waters within a U.S.-backed “enhanced security area” south of the usual Traffic Separation Scheme.
Just a day prior, A.P. Moller – Maersk confirmed that its U.S.-flagged roll-on/roll-off vessel Alliance Fairfax, operated by Maersk Line, Limited, had left the Persian Gulf under U.S. military escort.
Together, these movements mark the first verified transits related to Washington’s initiative to assist stranded vessels in the region. However, they also highlight the tight control over these operations.
As of now, only CS Anthem and Alliance Fairfax are confirmed to have passed through the strait under these enhanced security measures. Industry analysts consider these operations as highly coordinated one-off transits rather than an indication of a broader reopening.
Maersk stated, “MLL was contacted by the U.S. military and given the opportunity for the vessel to depart the Gulf under military protection. After developing a detailed security plan with the U.S. military, our leadership approved the transit, and the vessel then exited the Persian Gulf with U.S. military support.”
These confirmations match earlier announcements from U.S. Central Command, which indicated that two American-flagged merchant vessels had passed through the strait as part of the “Project Freedom” initiative. While both vessels are now identified, there have been no further public confirmations of commercial movements.
Both vessels are part of a small group of U.S.-flagged ships that have been effectively stranded in the Gulf since late February. They are enrolled in either the Maritime Security Program (MSP) or the Tanker Security Program (TSP), which ensure that U.S.-flagged ships are available for military logistics during crises.
The CS Anthem is a medium-range tanker with a capacity of 49,990 metric tons. It is managed by Crowley under a bareboat charter and operates under the Tanker Security Program, having replaced the Stena Immaculate after its collision in 2025.
Despite these successful transits, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—one of the world’s key energy passageways—remains highly restricted. Ongoing threats, such as mines, drone activity, and a heightened military presence, continue to discourage a more significant return of commercial traffic.