Danish shipping company Maersk has confirmed that one of its commercial vessels has safely passed through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz under United States military protection.

The vessel, Alliance Fairfax, a U.S.-flagged ship operated by Farrell Lines, a subsidiary of Maersk Line Limited—completed the passage on Monday without any incident, the company said. All crew members were reported safe and unharmed.

Maersk added that the ship had been unable to sail since late February, following the outbreak of hostilities in the U.S.- and Israel-led conflict with Iran on February 28.

The development comes as the U.S. Navy works to implement President Donald Trump’s “Project Freedom” initiative, aimed at reopening sea routes for vessels stranded after Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway linking the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Around 20 per cent of global oil and gas trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, but shipping activity has largely stalled since the conflict began.

The U.S. Central Command said on Monday via social media that two U.S.-flagged merchant ships had successfully navigated the strait, adding that U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyers are currently operating in the area.

A fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran appeared to be nearing collapse on Tuesday after reports of renewed attacks across the region.

Iranian drones and missiles reportedly struck targets in the United Arab Emirates, while U.S. officials said they had destroyed Iranian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz during ongoing maritime confrontations.

The escalation comes amid rising tensions in the Gulf, where the situation has sharply deteriorated despite earlier attempts to stabilise a ceasefire framework.