Idemitsu Maru Tanker Carrying Saudi Oil Seeks to Cross Strait of Hormuz

By Katya Golubkova and Kantaro Komiya

TOKYO, April 28 (Reuters) – Panama-flagged tanker Idemitsu Maru, carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi oil, is attempting to cross the Strait of Hormuz, LSEG shipping data showed on Tuesday, and is poised to be the first Japan-linked crude tanker to do so since the Iran war began.

Before the U.S.-Iran conflict broke out on February 28 and disrupted Middle East crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, Japan relied on the region for 95% of its oil imports, much of it coming via the Strait of Hormuz.

The move comes as Japan’s