First Japan-Linked Supertanker Carrying Saudi Oil Heads Through Hormuz Since War Began

A Japan-linked supertanker carrying crude oil has been seen moving through the Strait of Hormuz, in what appears to be the first such passage by a Japanese-linked oil vessel since the Iran war began.

The vessel, identified as the Idemitsu Maru, began its journey late Monday from a position northwest of Abu Dhabi after remaining stationary for over a week, according to ship-tracking data.

It then moved towards the strait, briefly altering course near Iran’s Qeshm and Larak Islands before continuing eastwards past Larak. The tanker is transporting around 2 million barrels of crude oil loaded from Saudi Arabia’s Juaymah terminal in early March.

Tracking data from LSEG showed the Panama-flagged very large crude carrier (VLCC) was continuing its passage

through the strategic waterway on Tuesday. It is managed by a Japanese shipping unit linked to refiner Idemitsu Kosan, although the company has declined to comment on individual voyages. At one point, the ship was reported around 30 kilometres east of Larak Island with its tracking system active, Reuters reported.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global energy flows for Japan, which sources about 95 per cent of its oil imports from the Middle East.

First LNG-loaded tanker passes Hormuz

A UAE-operated LNG tanker, Mubaraz, carrying more than 132,000 cubic metres of LNG, is believed to have crossed the Strait of Hormuz after loading at Das Island in early March.

The vessel reportedly switched off its tracking system for several weeks before reappearing near India. If confirmed, it would mark the first LNG cargo to pass through the strait since the conflict began.

Ship-tracking data shows the vessel, carrying LNG loaded from Abu Dhabi National Oil Company’s Das Island facility in the United Arab Emirates in March, had remained stranded in the Gulf region since the outbreak of hostilities.

“It could be the case that the vessel managed to cross the strait during the weekend of 18–19 April, when multiple vessels attempted to cross the strait (including seven LNG tankers), however this is not yet confirmed,” Kpler analyst Charles Costerousse, said in a note.

As per the data, the tanker is heading to China and is likely to arrive in the second half of May.

(With inputs from agencies)