Japan Companies Stop Shipments thru Strait of Hormuz

Tokyo, March 1 (Jiji Press)–Three major Japanese shipping companies stopped oil and other shipments through the Strait of Hormuz after the U.S. and Israeli forces began strikes against Iran on Saturday, officials said Sunday. Nippon Yusen K.K., Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. and Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. halted operations in the strategic waterway and took such measures as keeping ships on standby in safe waters. Japan relies on the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, for more than 90 pct of its crude oil imports. Most of them are transported through the Strait of Hormuz. Concerns are growing about the expected impact on the Japanese economy if the shipment halt is protracted. According to the online version of The New York Times, the strait logged a 70 pct drop in vessel traffic as of Saturday night local time. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines officials said that Iranian authorities notified ships by radio that navigation is prohibited. The company is supporting the captains of some vessels 24 hours a day. “We’ll decide our action guidelines, placing the top priority on the safety of crew, cargo and ships,” an official said. Nippon Yusen has moved ships to safe waters. It mainly operates crude oil tankers, as well as carriers of liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas and vehicles, along the routes passing the strait. Meanwhile, Japan Airlines has announced the cancellations of regular flights between Tokyo’s Haneda Airport and Doha, the capital of Qatar, until Tuesday. Subject to the measure are six flights, including one that had been scheduled for Saturday, affecting about 1,000 passengers in total. All Nippon Airways, which has no flights to the Middle East, stated, “We have no need for a route change because we have no flights traveling over the region.” END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]