An ENEOS Holdings group tanker carrying four Japanese crew members exited the Strait of Hormuz and left the danger zone on April 24, 2026 [1], [2].

The transit is critical for Japan's energy security, as the company utilizes these vessels to ensure a steady supply of Middle Eastern crude oil to the archipelago [1], [2].

The vessel is transporting approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil [1], [2]. ENEOS Holdings President Tomohide Miyata said the ship has resumed its voyage toward Japan after clearing the high-risk area, and said he is pleased with the development [1].

Company officials said the four Japanese crew members are in good health [1]. The tanker is expected to arrive in Japan between late May and early June 2026 [1].

Reports regarding the vessel's status vary. Bloomberg reported that a supertanker subject to US sanctions had been attempting to pass through the strait [2]. However, TBS News Dig reported that the vessel belongs to the ENEOS group and that the government said the ship had not paid transit fees [1].

At the time of the transit, 39 Japan-related vessels were reported to be stationed or anchored in the Strait of Hormuz [1]. The strait remains a primary chokepoint for global energy shipments connecting the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman [1], [2].

“The vessel is transporting approximately 2 million barrels of crude oil.”

The successful passage of the ENEOS tanker underscores the persistent volatility of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime artery for Japan's energy imports. The discrepancy between reports of US sanctions and the vessel's corporate identity suggests a complex legal and diplomatic environment for shipping in the region, where energy security often clashes with international geopolitical pressures.