Strait of Hormuz Turbulence: Pertamina Chief Seeks Alternative Oil Import Sources

Jakarta – Pertamina’s Chief Executive Officer Simon Aloysius Mantiri stated that the company is actively seeking alternative sources for crude oil imports, responding to the dynamics of global energy distribution unfolding in the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Pertamina has confirmed that it has implemented anticipatory measures, including searching for alternative import sources from the region, to maintain Indonesia’s energy stock resilience.

“Of course, we have already taken precautionary steps to seek other sources so that stock resilience remains solid and reliable,” Simon said in Jakarta on Thursday, 12 March 2026.

He emphasised that Indonesia’s energy supply sources are not solely derived from the Middle East, but also from other regions such as Africa and the United States.

“For our contingency measures, we are also implementing supply source diversification. Our sources are not only from the Middle East; we also have supplies from Africa, from the United States, and from various other locations,” he stated.

Tensions in the Middle Eastern region had previously caused shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically critical global energy trade route connecting the Persian Gulf to international markets.

The strait serves as one of the primary routes for crude oil shipments from Middle Eastern producing nations to various consumer countries. The government had previously noted that approximately 20–25 per cent of Indonesia’s crude oil imports are transported through the Strait of Hormuz.

Pertamina’s pursuit of alternative import sources was prompted following the situation involving two oil tankers operated by Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), which remained in the Arabian Gulf region and were unable to transit the Strait of Hormuz. The two vessels are the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Pertamina Pride, with ship management from NYK, and the Gamsunoro, managed by Synergy Ship Management.

According to a PIS report on Monday, 2 March, Pertamina Pride completed its loading process and is anchored at Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, whilst Gamsunoro is undergoing loading at Khor al Zubair, Iraq. Meanwhile, two other PIS vessels, namely PIS Paragon and PIS Rinjani, were reported to be outside the Middle Eastern waters.

“Our primary concern is the safety of our crew members and the security of our cargo. We are certainly continuing to coordinate with various parties from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all relevant stakeholders, and we are also pushing for the situation there to improve,” Simon said.