US Tanker CS Anthem Clears Strait of Hormuz With Navy Support

The chemical tanker CS Anthem has successfully left the Strait of Hormuz, marking it as only the second U. S. ‑flagged commercial ship to do so while under escort by American warships. The vessel, managed by Crowley‑Stena Marine Solutions, announced the safe completion of its passage. Earlier this week, another U. S. ‑flagged carrier named Alliance Fairfax also exited the Gulf of Oman through the same narrow waterway. Both trips were protected by U. S. naval forces, part of a broader effort to keep shipping lanes open after tensions rose in February. Three other American ships are still trapped in the region following the start of hostilities between Israel and Iran. One, a product tanker called Stena Imperative, suffered a fire after being struck by unknown projectiles in Bahrain. It is now undergoing repairs in dry dock.U. S. military officials say they are restoring commercial traffic by deploying guided‑missile destroyers under a plan called Project Freedom. These ships patrol the Gulf to deter attacks and escort merchant vessels safely through the strait. Before the virtual blockade, about a fifth of global oil flowed through Hormuz. The closure in early March left hundreds of ships stranded, but the recent exits show that U. S. support is helping some vessels break free. The crews of both CS Anthem and Alliance Fairfax reported no injuries, and the voyages were uneventful. The navy’s presence has been a reassuring factor for merchant mariners navigating this risky stretch of sea.