Japanese Supertanker Eneos Endeavor Transits Strait of Hormuz Undercover
Japanese crude tanker emerges after going dark near Strait of Hormuz
Business Standard
Image: Business Standard
The Japanese supertanker Eneos Endeavor has reappeared in the Gulf of Oman after going dark while transiting the Strait of Hormuz. This rare undercover passage marks only the second instance of a Japanese-owned vessel crossing this critical maritime chokepoint since the West Asia conflict began in February 2023.
- 01Eneos Endeavor, a Japanese supertanker, reemerged in the Gulf of Oman after a period without location signals.
- 02The tanker is part of Eneos Holdings Inc.'s fleet and was last known to be in the Persian Gulf.
- 03This transit is significant as it is only the second Japanese-owned supertanker to cross the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began.
- 04Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has urged Iran to ensure safe passage for vessels through the Strait.
- 05The tanker is currently waiting for further orders, indicating uncertainty about its next destination.
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The Eneos Endeavor, a very large crude carrier owned by Japanese refiner Eneos Holdings Inc., has resurfaced in the Gulf of Oman after disappearing from tracking systems while passing through the Strait of Hormuz. The tanker last transmitted its location while in the Persian Gulf, north of Abu Dhabi, before going dark, suggesting it navigated the strategic waterway without broadcasting its movements. This incident is notable as it marks only the second time a Japanese-owned supertanker has made this crossing since the onset of the West Asia conflict in February 2023. The vessel had entered the Persian Gulf in late February to load crude oil from the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Initially, it indicated a destination of Kiire, Japan, but is now listed as awaiting orders, reflecting a lack of clarity regarding its next port of call. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has confirmed the tanker’s passage and emphasized Japan's commitment to ensuring safe maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global oil shipments.
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The successful transit of the Eneos Endeavor underscores the ongoing challenges for maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil supplies. This could affect oil prices and shipping routes, impacting consumers and businesses reliant on oil imports.
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