Idemitsu Oil Tanker Passing through Strait of Hormuz

Tokyo, April 28 (Jiji Press)–A crude oil tanker owned by Idemitsu Tanker Co., a subsidiary of major Japanese oil wholesaler Idemitsu Kosan Co., is passing through the Strait of Hormuz, according to global ship-tracking website MarineTraffic. As of 8:30 p.m. Tuesday Japan time, the tanker, the Idemitsu Maru, was heading toward the Gulf of Oman as it transited the key oil transport waterway. If the Idemitsu Maru passes safely, it would mark the first time that a Japan-related ship has exited the Persian Gulf since a ceasefire agreement was reached between the United States and Iran. The Idemitsu Maru is a very large crude carrier, or VLCC, capable of carrying about 2 million barrels of crude oil. Idemitsu Kosan declined to provide details about the cargo or destination due to safety reasons. While the ship is registered in Panama, its destination is not indicated on the website. An official of the Japanese Shipowners’ Association said it has no information on the vessel’s status. After the start of the U.S.-Israeli attack on Iran on Feb. 28, a total of 45 Japan-related ships were stranded in the Persian Gulf. Three vessels related to major Japanese shipping company Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. passed through the strait between April 3 and 6. But no such moves have been seen among Japan-linked ships since the U.S.-Iran ceasefire agreement and subsequent talks between the two countries. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]