Negotiations Ongoing as Two Pertamina Vessels Remain Detained in Strait of Hormuz
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM), Bahlil Lahadalia, has disclosed that two vessels belonging to PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) remain detained in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic shipping route located between Iran to the north and Oman and the United Arab Emirates to the south.
The Indonesian government is currently engaged in negotiations with Iranian authorities to secure the release of both vessels. “We are in negotiations now. There is a long queue, we are negotiating. Please give us time. We are still negotiating,” Bahlil stated at the Ministry of ESDM office in Jakarta on Tuesday (17 March).
He added that the negotiation process is taking place amid an ongoing geopolitical situation in the Middle East that shows no signs of abating. Nevertheless, the government has begun to observe positive developments regarding maritime access through the Strait of Hormuz.
Bahlil noted that there is growing optimism with the implementation of an open-close policy at the Strait of Hormuz, which enables vessels from nations not affiliated with Israel and the United States to resume communication and passage. “We have received some positive signs with the Strait of Hormuz now implementing an open-close policy. This means that vessels and nations that are neither Israeli nor American can now engage in communication. This represents a positive development,” he emphasised.
Previously, of four vessels, two PIS ships were reported to have moved away from the conflict zone surrounding the Strait of Hormuz as tensions escalated in the Middle East. The other two vessels remained in the Arabian Gulf waters whilst awaiting conditions safe enough for transit.
“Two vessels have moved away from the conflict area: the PIS Rinjani and the PIS Paragon,” stated Vega Pita, Acting Corporate Secretary of Pertamina International Shipping, in an official statement on Tuesday (10 March).
He explained that two other vessels, the VLCC Pertamina Pride and the Gamsunoro, continue to operate in the Middle East region and are located in the Arabian Gulf. These vessels are awaiting safe conditions to exit through the Strait of Hormuz. “Both are in safe condition,” Vega confirmed.
He added that the Gamsunoro vessel is engaged in transporting cargo for third parties, whilst the VLCC Pertamina Pride is currently executing a mission to transport crude oil to meet domestic energy requirements.