Jakarta. Two Indonesian oil tankers belonging to the state-run oil giant Pertamina are getting ready to transit the Strait of Hormuz as Iran lifts its blockade on the strategic waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz, the maritime route that handles a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade, has reopened following a 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. Iran has been blocking the shipping channel since the US and Israel struck the country on Feb. 28, a move that triggered a global oil shortfall. Tankers Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro, owned by subsidiary Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), have also been stuck in the Persian Gulf for almost two months, as the only way out is via the Strait of Hormuz. The waters have now calmed down.

“We are on standby to monitor the situation intensively and prepare a passage plan for our tankers to pass through safely following the strait’s reopening,” PIS acting corporate secretary Vega Pita said on Saturday.

This includes identifying the route home and its risks.

“We are also preparing electric navigation and a contingency plan,” Vega explained.

Pertamina is coordinating closely with the Foreign Affairs Ministry, insurer, ship management, cargo owners, and local authorities. 

“All this is to ensure that we can properly fulfill the permit procedures. Our priority remains on the safety of our crewmembers, ships, and the entire cargo,” Vega said.

The strait is "completely open" for commercial ships for the remaining period of the Israel-Lebanon truce, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Aragchi. Ships will also have to “use coordinated routes”. Lebanon previously got pulled into the war after the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militia responded to Israel’s attacks on Tehran.

Jakarta first revealed that Iran had given a “positive response” for a Hormuz passage back on March 27. Whenever asked about the updates, the government had repeatedly told reporters that they still had to make the technical preparations ahead of an actual tanker release. 

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Yvonne Mewengkang recently said that the delays had nothing to do with Indonesian tankers flying flags of other countries. Shipowners often do this to cut costs and avoid stringent marine regulations.

“Our communications with the Iranian side indicate that there is no issue with the flag of convenience by the Indonesian tankers,” Yvonne told a press briefing on Thursday.

Gamsunoro, which is serving a third-party cargo, sails with a Panamanian flag — a popular choice due to its convenience. Pertamina Pride, which is sailing under the Singaporean flag, was supposed to deliver light crude oil to Indonesia.

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