What is Mitsui OSK Lines' current assessment of Strait of Hormuz transit resumption by year-end?

Mitsui OSK Lines CEO Jotaro Tamura stated that, given the current situation, it is 'difficult to see operations resuming in any form by the end of the year,' and that the disruption has elevated risk to a level 'well beyond the level of risk we can accept.' The company had previously expected a phased resumption starting in October, but Tamura confirmed that timeline has slipped and that 'it’s difficult to say by how much' the resumption will be delayed.

What conditions must be met for Mitsui OSK Lines to resume regular transits through the Strait of Hormuz?

According to CEO Jotaro Tamura, Mitsui OSK Lines would need confidence that safe passage could be sustained across multiple voyages—not assessed on a vessel-by-vessel or day-by-day basis—and explicitly rejected the normalization of sailing with transponders turned off, as that would imply operating under the assumption that an attack could occur.

Japan’s Mitsui OSK Sees Risk to Hormuz Shipping Through Year-End

Sep 2, 2026

Mitsui OSK Lines CEO warns Strait of Hormuz disruptions will likely persist through year-end due to escalating US-Iran tensions. Japanese refiners are diversifying crude sources to alternatives like the US and West Africa to mitigate supply risks.

bloomberg

2026-07-06

Japan-Linked Ships Escaping Hormuz in Convoy Through Iran Route

2026-09-02

Japan’s Mitsui OSK Sees Risk to Hormuz Shipping Through Year-End

2026-09-15

LNG Market Faces Extended Hormuz Outage, Japanese Shipper Says

Japan’s Mitsui OSK Sees Risk to Hormuz Shipping Through Year-End

FAQ