# Exclusive | First Chinese-flagged Vessel Transits Strait of Hormuz Since US-Israel-Iran Conflict; Chinese-invested Ships Gathering to Resume Navigation

[Caixin] Since the U.S. and Iran went to war, commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz has been interrupted. As the conflict eases, Chinese shipping companies are preparing for a full resumption of voyages.

Caixin has learned that on the early morning of March 11, the Chinese bulk carrier “Runchen 2” passed eastward through the Strait of Hormuz into the Arabian Sea—this was the first Chinese-flagged vessel to do so after the strait was effectively closed on March 1. The vessel was flying the five-star red flag. “Runchen 2” is owned by Jiangsu Runchang Shipping Co., Ltd., and is a 33,000-ton timber transport ship.

At that time, three other bulk carriers also exited the Strait of Hormuz: the “Laiyang” (57,000 tons), managed by Nanjing Jinxipu Ship Management Co., Ltd.; the “HONESTAR” (49,000 tons), operated by Hong Kong Athena Shipping; and the “RIVA GLORY” (50,000 tons), managed by Shunchang Ship Management Co., Ltd., which passed through from outside the sea into the Persian Gulf. Although the last three ships are not Chinese-flagged, their operating entities are Chinese companies, so when they crossed the strait, their “destination” was marked as “CHINA OWNER.”