Oil Bypassing Strait of Hormuz Seen Arriving in Japan from May

Tokyo, April 3 (Jiji Press)–Crude oil shippments bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has effectively closed, are expected to arrive in Japan from May, Japanese industry ministry officials said Friday. Japan will import crude oil shipped from ports in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Industry minister Ryosei Akazawa has held online meetings with Saudi and UAE ministers, asking for a smooth shipment process to Japan. Over 90 pct of Japan’s oil imports have come from the Middle East, and most of them have come via the strait. However, these imports have stalled following U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran. The Japanese government also plans to procure oil from North, Central, and South America, as well as Central Asia and Africa. Major Japanese resources developer Inpex Corp. plans to prioritize selling crude oil produced in Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan to Japanese firms. “Our efforts (to procure crude oil from alternative sources) have been progressing steadily,” an industry ministry official said. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]