Indonesia secures safe passage for ships through Strait of Hormuz amid rising tensions

Government intensifies coordination to protect vessels and maintain national energy resilience.

A Pertamina oil tanker is towed by a tugboat at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta.
A PT Pertamina oil tanker is towed by a tugboat at Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Photo by Dimas Ardian/Bloomberg/Getty Images

The Indonesian government is intensifying efforts to ensure the safety of its vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route increasingly affected by geopolitical tensions.

Coordination among ministries and state-owned enterprises has been strengthened to support the smooth passage of Indonesian ships while maintaining national energy security.

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dwi Anggia, said the ministry continues to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders.

According to Anggia, the primary objective is to guarantee both operational continuity and the safety of Indonesian vessels passing through the high-risk maritime corridor.

“The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources continues to communicate and coordinate intensively with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure the safe and smooth passage of Indonesian vessels,” she said in a statement from Jakarta.

She emphasized that protecting not only cargo but also crew members remains the government’s top priority.

Efforts on the ground are being reinforced by diplomatic engagement. Vahd Nabyl A Mulachela confirmed that the Foreign Ministry, together with the Indonesian Embassy in Tehran, has been in close coordination with Iranian authorities.

He noted that the response from Iran has been positive, with relevant parties now addressing technical and operational aspects required to facilitate safe passage.

This diplomatic channel is seen as crucial in reducing risks amid heightened regional instability.

State energy company PT Pertamina (Persero) has also taken active steps to support the process.

Through its subsidiary, PT Pertamina International Shipping, preparations are underway to ensure that two vessels—Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro—can safely transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Pertamina’s Vice President for Corporate Communications, Muhammad Baron, reiterated that safety remains the company’s primary concern.

“Our priority is the safety of all crew members, as well as the security of the vessels and their cargo,” he said, while calling for public support to ensure a smooth process.

Beyond immediate shipping concerns, the government is also taking steps to safeguard domestic fuel availability.

Anggia explained that Indonesia is diversifying its sources of crude oil and fuel imports, reducing reliance on the Middle East by exploring alternative suppliers from other regions.

This policy aligns with directives from Prabowo Subianto, who has instructed Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia to broaden the country’s import base.

Data from 2025 shows that Indonesia imported 135.33 million barrels of crude oil, with around 19 percent sourced from Saudi Arabia.

The remainder came from a diverse range of suppliers, including countries in Africa, Latin America, the United States, and neighboring nations such as Malaysia.

In addition, Indonesia maintains long-term cooperation agreements with Singapore and Malaysia to secure fuel product supplies, further strengthening its energy resilience.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most vital maritime chokepoints, handling a significant portion of global oil shipments.

For Indonesia, ensuring the safety of its ships in this region is not only a logistical necessity but also a strategic imperative tied to national energy security.

As geopolitical tensions continue to evolve, sustained coordination between government institutions, diplomatic channels, and industry players will be critical to maintaining stability and protecting Indonesia’s interests.

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