Pertamina Ships Detained in Strait of Hormuz; Bahlil Requests Negotiation Time

Jakarta — Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Bahlil Lahadalia stated that two Pertamina ships are still attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz, with Pertamina continuing to negotiate the situation.

“We are in negotiations at the moment. This is a long queue, negotiations are ongoing. Please give us time. Still negotiating, still negotiating,” said Bahlil after attending a mudik (homecoming) ceremony with the Energy Ministry at the ministry’s office in Jakarta on Tuesday (17 March 2026).

Bahlil requested time citing the highly dynamic and unpredictable nature of the global situation. He stated that the government has prepared short-term, medium-term, and long-term strategies.

“After March we will reconsider. We are not God who can predict all the realities over there. What matters is that we can conduct good planning in the short, medium, and long term,” Bahlil said.

Bahlil identified the primary focus as ensuring supplies of fuel, LPG, and diesel remain available to prevent shortages domestically. He emphasised that supply availability was paramount, whilst pricing would be adjusted according to the evolving situation.

According to Bahlil, the opening and closing of the Strait of Hormuz represents a positive development for global energy supply, including Indonesia. He viewed this as good news for the world amid ongoing global geopolitical tensions.

“This means that ships and countries that are neither Israel nor America can now communicate. This is actually a positive development,” Bahlil continued.

Bahlil assured that supplies of fuel, LPG, and electricity remain under control and safe in accordance with national minimum stock standards. He reported that LPG supplies would resume entering Indonesia by the end of this month.

“There will be no issues for Eid celebrations. For coal supplied to PLN, the 14–15 day average is indeed our national minimum standard threshold. So there are relatively no concerns,” Bahlil said.