Japanese LNG Carrier 'SOHAR' Breaks Through Tense Strait of Hormuz, Reigniting Hopes for Energy Security
In the continuously tense Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines' LNG carrier "SOHAR" became the first Japan-related vessel to successfully navigate through the strait and exit the gulf. This development is drawing attention as a small but significant step towards resuming the stalled operations of Japan-related vessels following the destabilization of the Middle East situation. This passage is reported as the first major achievement for a Japan-related vessel under the prevailing tense conditions. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines announced that the safety of its crew and vessel had been confirmed. According to the Japanese Shipowners' Association, as of March 25th, 45 Japan-related vessels, carrying approximately 1,200 crew members including 24 Japanese nationals, were stranded inside the Persian Gulf. It is estimated that around 1,000 merchant ships in total were stuck in the gulf, indicating that the Strait of Hormuz was virtually under a blockade. Stable naviga...