Japanese tanker becomes first refinery-linked vessel to pass through Hormuz since war began, sources say

A Japanese supertanker may have crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, in what would mark the first time a vessel tied to a refinery has left the Persian Gulf since the conflict between the United States and Iran began on Feb. 28 this year.

The Idemitsu Maru, owned by Idemitsu Kosan, appears to have passed through the strait, according to sources, including vessel-tracking data from MarineTraffic.

“This is the result of negotiations by the Japanese government,” a senior official told Nikkei Asia. “No transit fee was paid.”

The tanker departed from Saudi Arabia bound for Asia and is believed to be sailing toward Japan. It is expected to arrive in mid-May.

Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for crude oil shipments to Asia, remains virtually paralyzed as the United States and Iran have yet to find a path to end hostilities.

Iranian state media reported that the Idemitsu Maru crossed the strait with Iran’s authorization.

The vessel is a VLCC, or Very Large Crude Carrier, with an estimated capacity of about 2 million barrels of crude oil. Idemitsu Kosan declined to comment, citing security concerns.

The Idemitsu Maru is operated by Idemitsu Tanker, a Tokyo-based subsidiary. The vessel was completed in 2007 and is 333 meters long.

Idemitsu is Japan’s second-largest oil refiner. It operates six refineries in the country and plays a role in ensuring stable supplies of gasoline, diesel and petrochemical feedstocks produced from imported crude oil.

Among Japan-linked vessels, three liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas carriers operated by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines have crossed the Strait of Hormuz since the war began. Those ships, however, belong to a shipping company rather than a refiner. Their destinations were Oman and India, not Japan.

Source: Valor Econômico 

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