Pertamina Crews Recount Tense Passage Through Hormuz Strait
Crew members of the Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro tankers have recounted their tense journeys through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic and risky shipping lanes, following their safe return to Indonesian waters. Second Officer Rizqi Rafif of the Pertamina Pride expressed relief upon arrival, stating, “We are happy to finally be out of Hormuz.” The vessel, carrying 22 crew members, successfully transited the strait on 8 July and arrived safely in Cilacap on 24 July after months in the Arabian Gulf region.
The arrival of the Pertamina Pride crew was warmly welcomed by PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) management via video conference. They were joined by the crew of the Gamsunoro, which had successfully crossed the strait earlier on 25 June and has since resumed serving third-party customers in Singapore waters. For the sailors, while large waves, strong winds, and extreme weather are part of daily life, the challenge this time was markedly different. Geopolitical conflict in the region meant every navigational decision had to be made with extreme caution.
Daryl Josua Makaminang, Third Officer on the Gamsunoro, admitted the war situation caused concern for the entire crew. The Gamsunoro transited the southern route of the Strait of Hormuz under US Navy escort, and just one day after the vessel passed safely, an attack occurred on another ship in the area. “We were certainly quite worried about the war situation at the time. Thankfully, we were able to pass through the Strait of Hormuz safely,” he said. The voyage required approximately eight hours to complete the crossing, including around four hours through the most critical point of the strait, with the Pertamina Pride facing a similar duration.
The crews described various challenges, from selecting routes amid dynamic conditions to disruptions of the GPS system, which required extra vigilance from the entire navigation team. “We were worried at times. In such a situation, questions arose about which side to follow. The GPS also experienced jamming. You could say we were very fortunate to get through everything safely,” Rifqi revealed.
PIS President Director Surya Tri Harto expressed the highest appreciation to all crew members for managing the situation calmly and professionally amidst the escalating conflict. “This success is not just about operational discipline, but also about humanity. Since the ships entered the Gulf region, we have continuously monitored the crew’s condition. The safety of all crew members has always been our top priority, even before cargo and operational activities,” Surya stated. He specifically urged the crew to always prioritise safety while on duty, calling them heroes for facing risks far greater than the usual perils of the sea.
PIS President Commissioner Anwar Saadi also conveyed his gratitude that all crew members passed through the situation safely. “Over the past few months, we have been following developments and were very concerned about the crew’s safety. Today we are grateful to see all the crew of Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro in good health and smiling again,” he said. Following their successful passage, both vessels are focusing on restoring fleet performance, with the Gamsunoro undergoing hull cleaning to boost speed and the Pertamina Pride completing underwater hull cleaning in preparation for its next voyage.