Jakarta – PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), Pertamina’s subsidiary in the shipping sector, said it has prepared anticipatory measures to ensure the continuity of energy shipments to the country. PIS stated in a press release on Tuesday, 24 June, that it has closely monitored its fleet of vessels operating in conflict-prone areas and prepared alternative routes in case the main route through the Strait of Hormuz is disrupted due to rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
For Indonesia, which still relies on crude oil imports from the region, this threat is not just a discourse, but a signal of real danger to national energy security.
Muhammad Baron, Corporate Secretary of PIS, said the rerouting has the potential to increase logistics costs and travelling time, especially if ships have to detour far from regular routes. “We have not been able to calculate the exact cost impact, but we have prepared these options to maintain supply continuity,” he said.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, delivering around 20 per cent of the total global oil supply, equivalent to 17 million barrels per day. Most of Indonesia’s crude oil imports from the Middle East also pass through the narrow strait, as it offers the fastest and most logistically efficient route.
This anticipatory move aligns with the concerns of energy observers. Arcandra Tahar, a former Deputy Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, stated that if the Strait of Hormuz were to close, global oil prices could surge sharply.
“Some predict that crude oil prices could break USD 90 per barrel, even more, because this disruption is not just a matter of production, but concerns the security of the supply chain,” he said through his personal social media account.
Arcandra added that currently, energy-importing countries, including Indonesia, must begin to seriously think about aspects of energy security that depend not only on the existence of reserves or supplies, but also on the continuity of global distribution channels.
“State institutions must be present, not only in finding energy sources, but also ensuring that the supply chain remains intact in uncertain global conditions,” he said.
In addition to exploring alternative routes, the company is also strengthening its coordination with global partners, including ship and terminal providers, to anticipate logistical bottlenecks if the conflict escalates. (Hartatik)
Banner photo: Image generated by OpenAI’s DALL·E via ChatGPT (2024)
