PIS tanker Gamsunoro safely transits Strait of Hormuz after months-long delay

By Romel S. Gurky

PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) said its tanker Gamsunoro has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz after being delayed for several months amid heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The vessel successfully passed through the strategic waterway on Wednesday after coordination between Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran and PIS, the company said in a statement.

According to PIS, Gamsunoro departed the Arabian Gulf at 1:06 a.m. Dubai time on Wednesday and completed its transit of the Strait of Hormuz later that day, reaching a safe position after a voyage of around 16 hours.

The tanker had remained in the region since early March due to tensions stemming from the conflict involving the United States and Iran, which raised security concerns along one of the world's most important energy shipping routes.

Vega Pita, acting corporate secretary of PIS, said the decision to move the vessel followed a month-long risk assessment and intensive coordination with Indonesian diplomatic representatives.

"The selection of the timing and route for transiting the Strait of Hormuz underwent extensive discussions and strict risk assessments," Vega said.

She said the company evaluated a range of factors before approving the voyage, including insurance coverage, vessel readiness, operational preparedness, security measures and crew safety.

PIS monitored the vessel around the clock during the transit, with crew members maintaining constant communication with the company's crisis management team onshore, she added.

The company also coordinated with relevant authorities and stakeholders to monitor security developments and ensure that operational decisions were taken with caution.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, handling a significant share of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.

PIS said another vessel operating in the Arabian Gulf, the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Pertamina Pride, is preparing for its own transit of the strait while continuing to assess security conditions, shipping traffic and other operational risks.

The company did not provide a timeline for the vessel's departure.

Editing by Reiner Simanjuntak