Another 22 Japan-related vessels have passed through the Strait of Hormuz
On July 10, Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism Kondo Kyoji stated during a press conference following the cabinet meeting that, among the Japan-related vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf between July 7 and 9, 22 have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Crew health conditions for all these vessels are reported to be normal.
Due to the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a total of 45 Japan-related vessels were initially stranded in the Persian Gulf. With the departure of these 22 vessels, only four Japan-related ships remain stranded in the Persian Gulf at present.
Additionally, among these 22 vessels, six are large crude oil tankers heading to Japan. It is estimated that these six tankers carry approximately 18 million kiloliters of crude oil and are expected to arrive in Japan by late this month after about 20 days of sailing.
According to data from Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and other agencies, as of June 18, a total of 38 Japan-related vessels were stranded in the Persian Gulf, with around 900 people trapped aboard. By around mid-March, there had been 45 Japan-related vessels awaiting in the Persian Gulf. Among them, one vessel belonging to Mitsui O.S.K. Lines sustained damage to its stern.
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines confirmed on April 3 that its liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier had also passed through the Strait of Hormuz—making it the first Mitsui O.S.K. tanker to transit the strait since the outbreak of hostilities between the U.S. and Iran. On April 4, Mitsui O.S.K. further confirmed that another of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers had also passed through the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East. This marks the second confirmed instance of a Japan-related vessel passing through the strait and exiting the Persian Gulf since the escalation of tensions in Iran following attacks launched by the U.S. and Israel.
Owing to the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively blocked. The strait carries 94% of Japan's crude oil imports and 6% of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments. Globally, Japan is the only country so heavily dependent on Middle Eastern oil, placing it at unprecedented risk of energy shortages and crises related to petroleum products.
Source: rfi
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1870319138580492/
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