{
  "id": 5282418,
  "title": "Mitsui OSK sees disruption of Hormuz shipping extending beyond 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/03/mitsui-osk-sees-disruption-of-hormuz-shipping-extending-beyond-2026",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-03T08:18:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/09/03/companies/mitsui-osk-hormuz-shipping-risk/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Mitsui OSK Lines, a major Japanese shipping company, now expects the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz to persist beyond the end of 2026, following recent attacks that have heightened the risk for oil tankers navigating the waterway. Mitsui OSK Lines' CEO, Jotaro Tamura, stated in an interview that it is \"difficult to see operations resuming in any form by the end of the year\" and that the current risk level is \"well beyond what we can accept.\"\n\nTensions between the United States and Iran over control of the Hormuz strait have escalated since a period of relative calm, posing a significant threat to vessels carrying Middle Eastern crude to global markets. Prior to the conflict, Japanese shipowners had largely avoided the region for safety reasons, but the disruption has forced Japan's oil refiners, who previously sourced over 90% of their crude from the Middle East, to seek alternative supplies and routes.\n\nMitsui OSK had previously anticipated a phased resumption of Hormuz transit beginning in October, followed by a return to normal operations from January. However, Tamura now believes that this timeline is \"likely to be pushed back\" and could extend further. While Japanese tankers have refrained from the region, other vessels have transited the strait in recent months, sometimes turning off their transponders to avoid detection. As of last week, approximately 6 million to 8 million barrels of crude were crossing the strait daily, according to oil traders' estimates.\n\nTo resume regular transits, Mitsui OSK Lines requires confidence that safe passage can be maintained across multiple voyages, rather than assessing the risk on a vessel-by-vessel, day-by-day basis. Tamura emphasized that sailing with transponders turned off should not become the norm, as it would imply ships are operating under the assumption of an imminent attack.\n\nOn a more optimistic note, Mitsui OSK Lines is experiencing increased demand for its services from the United States and West Africa, as Japanese refiners diversify their crude supplies. This shift is opening up new routes for the company's shipping lines, with Mitsui OSK Lines CEO Jotaro Tamura echoing comments from his rival Nippon Yusen CEO Takaya Soga, who recently stated that his company is in discussions with refiners to import oil from Latin America and Africa.",
  "summary": "Recent attacks have elevated the risk for tankers attempting to move oil through the waterway.",
  "key_points": [
    "Mitsui OSK Lines expects Hormuz shipping disruption to continue beyond 2026",
    "CEO Jotaro Tamura says operations unlikely to resume by year-end",
    "Tensions with Iran threaten oil tankers navigating the waterway"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}