Jakarta. Two stranded tankers belonging to Indonesia’s oil giant Pertamina are still waiting for an all-clear to exit the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz.

About a fifth of the global oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz. However, the Iran war — triggered by the US-Israeli airstrikes in late February — has fueled “stormy seas” for shipments. Countless vessels, including two Pertamina tankers, remain within the Persian Gulf. As of Tuesday (March 10), the ships — also known as VLCC Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro — are still stuck, according to the company’s marine logistics unit Pertamina International Shipping (PIS).

“The two tankers are still waiting until it is safe to exit the Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz. Both vessels are safe and sound,” PIS acting corporate secretary Vega Pita told the Jakarta Globe via text.

The Gamsunoro was serving a third-party cargo. Pertamina Pride was carrying light crude oil meant for Indonesian supplies. PIS runs a total of 4 tankers in the Middle East, although the other two — namely Rinjani and Paragon — “have already moved away from the conflict area”.

“We will keep a close watch on our fleet, crewmembers, and workers in real-time 24/7,” Vega said.

PIS will remain in “close coordination” with the local authorities to make sure the crewmembers and cargoes are okay.

The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea channel that links the Persian Gulf to the open ocean. At home, Indonesia is banking on US crude supplies to plug the gap left by the paralysis. Foreign Ministry director-general Santo Darmosumarto recently said that Indonesia “had been pursuing diplomatic efforts” with Iranian authorities so the tankers could “safely cross the strait”. 

As closure-related uncertainties linger, US President Donald Trump has just threatened to hit Iran “twenty times harder” if it “does anything that stops the flow of oil within the Strait of Hormuz”.

Oil prices have also topped $100 a barrel amid the war’s fallout. 

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