Japanese Crude Tanker Completes Rare Undercover Transit Through Strait of Hormuz

A Japanese-owned supertanker, the Eneos Endeavor, has emerged in the Gulf of Oman after completing a rare undercover transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Ship-tracking data indicates the vessel stopped broadcasting its location while passing through the strategic chokepoint, reappearing east of Muscat on May 13 after last signaling from the Persian Gulf on May 11. This marks only the second time a Japanese-owned very large crude carrier (VLCC) has crossed the strait since the onset of the Iran war in late February. The tanker, operated by Eneos Holdings, had loaded crude from the UAE and Kuwait and is currently nearly full, awaiting further orders. While the Idemitsu Maru previously crossed in April with transparent tracking, this covert movement highlights heightened security concerns amid regional conflict. Eneos Holdings declined to comment on operational details for safety reasons. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi acknowledged the passage and urged Tehran to ensure safe transit for all vessels. The incident underscores the risks facing energy shipping routes in the Middle East as geopolitical tensions escalate, potentially impacting global oil supply chains and maritime security protocols in the region.