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

Last Updated:April 28, 2026, 17:37 IST

The tanker is transporting around 2 million barrels of crude oil loaded from Saudi Arabia’s Juaymah terminal in early March.

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. However, since the outbreak of war, traffic through the strait has fallen sharply.

(With inputs from agencies)

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

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