Fate of Pertamina Tankers After Strait of Hormuz Closed Again

Following its brief reopening, the Strait of Hormuz has been closed again by Iran. What is the fate of the two Pertamina-owned tankers? Compiled by detikcom on Sunday (19/4/2026), Iran had opened the Strait of Hormuz on Friday (17/4) after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Lebanon. PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) immediately prepared passage plans for two Pertamina ships detained in the Strait of Hormuz so they could sail once the sea route was opened. “We are on standby to conduct intensive monitoring and prepare safe passage planning so that the Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro ships can cross the Strait of Hormuz,” said Acting Corporate Secretary of Pertamina International Shipping Vega Pita, quoted by Antara on Saturday (18/4). It is known that the two tankers operating for Pertamina were still detected in the Persian Gulf region, according to the Vessel Finder ship tracking website up to last week. The Pertamina Pride ship was detected off the coast of Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia; while the Gamsunoro ship was recorded off the coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. She revealed that the preparations carried out by her side include route compilation, risk identification, electronic navigation, and contingency plans. Her side continues to actively coordinate with various related parties, including the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu), which is intensively assisting communication via diplomatic channels with relevant authorities, she said. Vega stated that her side is also continuously coordinating with insurance companies, ship management, cargo owners, and local authorities to ensure all permitting procedures can be properly fulfilled. “The company’s priority remains on the safety of the crew as well as the security of the ship and all its cargo,” said Vega. Iran Closes Strait of Hormuz Again However, just a few hours after it was opened, Iran has actually closed the Strait of Hormuz again on Saturday (18/4). This was conveyed by Iran’s central military command a few hours after reopening the strait, with more than a dozen commercial ships having passed through the vital waterway. In a statement broadcast on Iranian state television, Iran’s military command said Washington had broken its promise by continuing its naval blockade against ships sailing to and from Iranian ports. “Until the United States restores freedom of movement for all ships visiting Iran, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz will remain tightly controlled,” the statement said, quoted by AFP news agency on Saturday (18/4). US President Donald Trump had previously said he planned to maintain the US blockade of Iranian ports if a peace agreement with Tehran was not reached. He added that he might not extend the ceasefire after it expires. The Strait of Hormuz was opened after a ceasefire agreement was reached between Israel and Lebanon. However, Tehran threatened to close the vital waterway again if the US blockade continues. Meanwhile, the ceasefire between Tehran and Washington will end next Wednesday. “I might not extend it, but the blockade will remain in place,” Trump told reporters, quoted by Al Arabiya on Saturday (18/4/2026), when asked if the ceasefire would be extended. When asked about the possibility of a peace agreement with Iran, Trump said, “I think it will happen.”