The Idemitsu Maru, carrying Saudi crude, aims to cross the Strait of Hormuz, potentially marking Japan's first tanker transit since the Iran conflict began.
The Panama-flagged Idemitsu Maru, carrying two million barrels of Saudi crude, is attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz and could be the first Japan-linked tanker to do so since the Iran war began, reported Reuters.
Japan relied on the Middle East for 95 percent of its oil imports before the conflict disrupted flows on February 28. Earlier this month, the Sohar LNG tanker, co-owned by Mitsui OSK Lines, and the Mitsui-owned LPG tanker Green Sanvi crossed the strait.
Idemitsu Maru, a VLCC managed by a unit of Idemitsu Kosan, was tracked 30 kilometers east of Larak Island, moving eastward with its AIS active, according to MarineTraffic data. Idemitsu Kosan declined to comment on individual ships.
Strait traffic remains sparse, with only two vessels crossing in the past day compared to 125-140 daily before the war. These included the Gulf King general cargo ship and the Axion I LPG tanker, which is subject to US sanctions.
An LNG tanker managed by UAE's ADNOC also crossed Hormuz and was near India, potentially marking the first loaded LNG vessel to transit since the conflict began. Ship broker BRS stated that even if Hormuz reopened immediately, tanker and oil markets would not return to normal until at least September.
US President Donald Trump has rejected Iran's latest proposal to resolve the two-month war, a US official said, dampening hopes for a near-term settlement.
