Latest Updates on Pertamina Ships in the Strait of Hormuz

The government is continuing to strengthen coordination to ensure the safety of navigation for two vessels owned by PT Pertamina (Persero), namely Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro, which are currently in the Persian Gulf area. Diplomatic efforts through cross-ministerial coordination with Iran are beginning to yield positive developments, with approval responses from Iranian authorities allowing the ships to cross the Strait of Hormuz safely. Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, explained that his side, along with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, has been communicating with all relevant parties in Iran since the situation heated up. “In its development, there has been a positive response from the Iranian side. Currently, this is being followed up by relevant parties on technical and operational aspects,” Nabyl stated in an official release on Sunday (29/3/2026). In line with that, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Dwi Anggia, emphasised that close coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to safeguard national energy supply resilience. She assured that these steps are taken not only to secure the energy cargo but also to prioritise the safety of the crew in the field. “The Ministry of ESDM continues to communicate and coordinate intensively with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure that the process of Indonesian ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz can proceed safely and smoothly. In that process, not only the cargo, but the safety of the ship crew is the government’s top priority,” Anggia stressed in an official release on Sunday (29/3/2026). As a mitigation step to maintain domestic fuel supply resilience, the government is beginning to diversify sources of crude oil and fuel imports from areas outside the Middle East. This aligns with direct instructions from President Prabowo Subianto to the Minister of ESDM, Bahlil Lahadalia. According to government records, throughout 2025, Pertamina imported 135.33 million barrels of crude oil. Of that volume, the portion from Saudi Arabia was around 19% or 25.36 million barrels. The remaining supplies were secured from various countries such as regions in Africa, Latin America, the United States, and Malaysia. In addition, Indonesia also has long-term cooperation with Singapore and Malaysia specifically for fuel product supplies. On the other hand, Vice President of Corporate Communication at Pertamina, Muhammad Baron, expressed his appreciation for the full support from the government. Currently, Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) is completing various administrative and operational preparations so that both ships are ready to cross the strait safely. “Our priority remains on the safety of all crew members, as well as the security of the ships and their cargo. We ask for prayers and support from all Indonesians so that this process can go well,” Baron added.