Latest Update: Iran Gives Green Light to Pertamina Ships in Strait of Hormuz

Two Pertamina ships that were still held in the Arabian Gulf, PIS VLCC and Gamsunoro, are carrying out technical preparations to cross the Strait of Hormuz. The preparations are being made after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemlu RI) negotiated with the Iranian Government to request permission to sail the two ships carrying stocks of fuel oil (BBM) through the narrow waterway. “Regarding the status of the Pertamina ships, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, has continuously coordinated intensively with relevant parties in Iran since the beginning,” explained Kemlu RI spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang, quoted from Kompas.com on Friday (27/3/2026). “In its development, there has been a positive response from the Iranian side, which is currently being followed up by relevant parties on technical and operational aspects,” Yvonne explained. Previously, the Iranian Foreign Ministry conveyed a note of requirements for ships wishing to transit to the International Maritime Organization (IMO). A key point is that non-hostile ships are permitted to pass. “Non-hostile ships may, as long as they do not participate in or support aggressive actions against Iran, and fully comply with the stated safety and security regulations, benefit from safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz by coordinating with the competent authorities,” the note stated, quoted from AFP on Tuesday (24/3/2026). The crew, ship, and cargo are ensured to be safe. “Amid heating geopolitical conditions, 2 PIS ships are still in the Arabian Gulf. As of 12 March 2026, two PIS tanker ships, VLCC Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro, were still in the Arabian Gulf and had not been able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. The government, through Kemlu RI, upon learning of this, immediately communicated with the Iranian side, and the results are now beginning to show.”