Takaichi Confirms Japanese Oil Tanker Passed Strait of Hormuz, South Korea Actively Seeks Passage Solutions

US-Iran War Key News

Central News Agency

(Central News Agency, Tokyo/Seoul 29th, comprehensive foreign reports) Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi today confirmed that a Japanese oil tanker has passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is currently sailing towards Japan. In response to this news, an official from the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated today that the authorities are actively seeking solutions for South Korean vessels to pass through the strait.

Iran's state-run English media "Press TV" reported yesterday that a Japanese-affiliated Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) "Idemitsu Maru" passed through the Strait of Hormuz after obtaining permission from relevant Iranian authorities.

According to data from the ship tracking website MarineTraffic, the oil tanker's destination is Nagoya, Japan.

Japan's Kyodo News reported that Sanae Takaichi today posted on social media platform X, confirming that a Japanese-affiliated vessel has been confirmed to have passed through the Strait of Hormuz. The ship has left the Persian Gulf and is sailing towards Japan, with three Japanese crew members on board.

Japanese government officials explained today that the Idemitsu Maru "did not pay transit fees" when crossing the Strait of Hormuz, which was a result of consultations between the Japanese and Iranian governments.

According to Iran's Press TV, the Idemitsu Maru loaded 2 million barrels of crude oil in Saudi Arabia in early March.

MarineTraffic data shows that the Idemitsu Maru passed the narrowest part of the Strait of Hormuz around 6 PM Japan time on the 28th, and was sailing in the Gulf of Oman on the afternoon of the 29th. It is expected to take about three weeks to reach Japan.

On the other hand, Yonhap News reported that a South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs official pointed out that Seoul is maintaining consultations with the Iranian government while adhering to its basic stance, actively exploring solutions to break the current deadlock.

The basic stance of South Korea is that, in accordance with relevant international norms, the freedom and safety of navigation should be guaranteed for South Korean and all other countries' and regions' vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

When asked about the progress of the "issue of South Korean ships navigating the Strait of Hormuz" at a press conference today, Kang Yu-jung, the chief spokesperson for South Korea's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae, responded that the government is actively seeking solutions.

Kang Yu-jung pointed out that the matter involves a wide range of aspects, and various factors such as ship safety, the stance of shipping companies, and the involvement of many countries should be comprehensively considered. Therefore, the government is engaging in communication and cooperation from multiple perspectives.

Earlier this month, three other Japanese vessels passed through the Strait of Hormuz, while 26 South Korean vessels are currently stranded in the local waters.

The South Korean government had sent a special envoy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Tehran to hold talks with the Iranian Foreign Minister, but no substantial results were achieved. (Editor: Hung Pei-ying) 1150429

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