A support vessel owned by Malaysian firm Vantris Energy, formerly known as Sapura Energy, has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz, according to LSEG shipping data released on Friday. This development marks the fourth Malaysian-linked ship to navigate the crucial waterway since the onset of the US-Iran conflict in late February, which has severely disrupted global energy supplies.
Details of the Transit
The vessel, named Sapura 1200, was among seven ships for which the Malaysian government sought Iranian permission to clear the strait, which has been largely restricted since the conflict began, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. LSEG data indicated that the ship hugged the Iranian coastline while en route to Oman's Muscat port. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced in March that Iran would allow Malaysian vessels passage following diplomatic talks.
Other vessels for which Malaysia sought clearance include those from Vantris, shipping giant MISC Berhad, and state energy firm Petronas. The Liberian-flagged Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) Serifos, another Malaysian-linked ship, exited the strait on 10 April.
Cargo Movements
The Serifos tanker, carrying crude oil loaded from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in early March, discharged its cargo at Malaysia's Malacca port on 30 April. Another VLCC, Ocean Thunder, loaded with Iraqi crude and chartered by a unit of Petronas, passed through the strait on 5 April and discharged its cargo of 1 million barrels of Basrah Heavy crude at Malaysia's Pengerang on 18 April.
A third vessel, Mihzem, carrying Qatari liquefied natural gas and managed by an MISC unit, transited the waterway on Tuesday, becoming the second such cargo to cross under an arrangement involving Iran and Pakistan. Two other MISC ships remain stuck in the Gulf, according to sources and shipping data.
Diplomatic Context
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has suggested that he discarded Iran's peace proposal after reading the first sentence, which he deemed unacceptable, as diplomatic efforts to end the war reached a stalemate. Speaking on Air Force One during his return from China, Trump said he had looked at Tehran's response to a peace plan drawn up by Washington but rejected it outright. He stated, "If they have nuclear in any form, I don't read the rest."
His comments came after Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared he has no trust in the Trump administration to help broker a peace deal, but noted that the US is seeking fresh negotiations. Araghchi said Tehran is giving diplomacy a chance but will only negotiate with Washington if it believes the US is serious about peace. He made these remarks on the sidelines of the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting in New Delhi.
