RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Two tankers operated by state-owned Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) are currently detained in the Strait of Hormuz amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The Indonesian government, through diplomatic channels and intensive coordination, is working to secure the release of the vessels to safeguard the continuity of the national energy supply.

Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Bahlil Lahadalia, said negotiations for the release of the cargo are still ongoing. “It will be completed soon,” Bahlil stated in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Earlier this month, Pertamina International Shipping reported that four of its ships were operating in the Middle East. These include the Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Gamsunoro, which is loading cargo in Khor al Zubair, Iraq, VLCC Pertamina Pride, which has completed loading and is anchored in Ras Tanura, Saudi Arabia, PIS Rinjani, docked in Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, and PIS Paragon, unloading cargo in Oman.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that it continues to engage in dialogue with Iranian authorities to ensure the safety of two Pertamina tankers detained in the Strait of Hormuz due to heightened tensions between Iran and the US-Israel.

As the regional security situation evolves, PIS reported on Tuesday, March 10, that two of its ships, the PIS Rinjani and PIS Paragon, have left the conflict area. Meanwhile, two other vessels, the VLCC Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro, remain in the Arabian Gulf, awaiting safe conditions to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Both ships are reported to be in safe condition.

The Gamsunoro is carrying cargo belonging to third-party consumers, while the VLCC Pertamina Pride is transporting light crude oil to meet domestic energy needs.

Acting Corporate Secretary of Pertamina International Shipping, Vega Pita, emphasized that national energy distribution remains stable. “In addition to these ships, the energy supply and distribution chain remains solid, both in international waters and Indonesian waters, supported by at least 345 ships under the management of other Pertamina Group entities,” she said. ***