by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Japan’s prime minister confirmed Thursday that a Japanese supertanker emerged in the Gulf of Oman after apparently making a rare “dark transit” through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz without broadcasting its location.
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said the Japanese vessel had made the passage and stressed that Tokyo was urging Tehran to ensure “free and safe transit” for all ships traveling through the strategic waterway.
The tanker, the Eneos Endeavor, last signaled Monday inside the Persian Gulf north of Abu Dhabi before reappearing late Wednesday near Oman’s capital Muscat while sailing toward the Arabian Sea, according to ship-tracking data.
The apparent temporary loss of tracking signals comes amid heightened regional tensions and growing security concerns around shipping routes linked to global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, which has been blocked by Iran, Bloomberg News agency reported.
MIDDLE EAST TENSIONS
Roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman, making any disruption there a major concern for global energy markets and shipping companies.
The region has remained tense amid the ongoing Middle East conflict that escalated in late February, fears of possible Iranian retaliation against Western interests, and repeated warnings from Tehran over foreign military activity near its waters.
Western governments have also increased naval monitoring in the Gulf amid concerns over possible attacks, seizures, or harassment of commercial vessels.
The tanker is listed as part of Eneos Holdings’ fleet, the company’s website shows. A spokesperson for the company declined to comment, saying it does not disclose the operational status of vessels for safety reasons.
JAPANESE SHIPPING CONCERNS
Eneos Endeavor’s journey would make it only the second Japanese-owned supertanker to cross the chokepoint since the regional conflict escalated in late February, Worthy News learned.
In late April, the Idemitsu Maru became the first Japanese VLCC to make the crossing, though it did so while broadcasting its voyage.
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