Indonesia Secures Tehran Nod for Pertamina Tankers' Exit

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has secured a vital diplomatic opening in its efforts to extract two Pertamina tankers currently caught in the volatile Strait of Hormuz. Following intensive high-level negotiations, the Foreign Affairs Ministry confirmed on Friday, March 27, 2026, that Tehran has responded positively to Jakarta’s request for the vessels to transit the area safely.

As reported by Antara, while technical and operational follow-ups are now underway, officials remain cautious regarding the exact timeline for the ships' departure from the geopolitical chokepoint.

The diplomatic push comes as tensions between Iran and the United States continue to simmer, placing international shipping in the crosshairs. Energy and Mineral Resources Minister, Bahlil Lahadalia, acknowledged the complexities of navigating the standoff while emphasizing Indonesia's persistent engagement.

“It is certainly not easy to find a way for our ships to exit the Strait of Hormuz. However, we continue to build and maintain communication,” said Minister Bahlil during a meeting at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs in Jakarta on Friday, March 27, 2026.

Despite the standoff, State-owned oil company PT Pertamina has guaranteed the safety of the crew members aboard the tankers, which are operated by its subsidiary, PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS). The situation originally involved four vessels, though Pertamina’s Vice President of Corporate Communication, Muhammad Baron, clarified earlier this month that two of the ships remained outside the strait.

To mitigate the impact of the disruption, Indonesia has pivoted its energy sourcing, quickly securing alternative supplies from the United States to ensure that national reserves remain unaffected.

From a strategic standpoint, the bottleneck in the Middle East poses a manageable risk to Indonesia’s energy security. Crude oil cargo from the region currently accounts for approximately 19 percent of Indonesia’s total imports.

To counter any potential shortfalls, Pertamina has activated a comprehensive distribution scheme that includes regular, alternative, and emergency protocols. Minister Bahlil reassured the public that the temporary entrapment of the vessels has not compromised the nation's energy stability.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry, working alongside the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, continues to prioritize the physical safety of the vessels and their crews. Ministry spokesperson, Vahd Nabyl A. Mulachela, noted that while the "positive response" from Tehran is a significant milestone, the process remains delicate.

"Following the positive response from Tehran, relevant parties have implemented follow-up steps regarding technical and operational aspects," explained Nabyl, though he refrained from providing a specific window for when the tankers would finally clear the strait. ***