Indonesia Still Negotiating with Iran to Allow Two Pertamina Ships to Pass Through the Strait of Hormuz

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The government is still negotiating with Iranian authorities to allow two tankers owned by PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The two tankers currently detained in the Arabian Sea are VLCC Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro. VLCC Pertamina Pride is transporting a supply of crude oil (light crude oil) to meet domestic energy needs, while the Gamsunoro vessel is serving third-party consumer cargo. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that communication is continuously being conducted by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards Iranian authorities. However, he declined to provide further details on the progress of the Indonesian government’s negotiations with Iran. According to him, there are several matters that indeed cannot be conveyed widely to the public regarding the communication between the two parties. “Because not everything has to be conveyed to the public. This is about geopolitics in conditions like this. We can be open, but don’t be too open,” he said. Acting Corporate Secretary of Pertamina International Shipping, Vega Pita, stated that with the development of the Strait of Hormuz being closed again by Iran on Sunday (19/4/2026), the company’s two ships have not yet been able to move out of the area. “The two PIS ships are currently still in the Arabian Gulf and have not been able to cross the Strait of Hormuz. PIS continues to monitor very closely the developments of the highly dynamic situation in the Strait of Hormuz,” Vega said in an official statement on Sunday (19/4/2026). He emphasised that the company continues to conduct intensive coordination with various related parties, including ministries and relevant authorities, while preparing safe navigation plans. “The top priority is the safety of all crew members, the security of the ships, and their cargo. We hope that conditions in that route will soon improve and become conducive so that the Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro ships can promptly continue their voyage safely,” he said.