Japan seeks ways to reduce reliance on Strait of Hormuz for oil supplies

Japan will explore the possibility of supporting projects aimed at expanding oil pipeline infrastructure in the Middle East to increase crude supplies through routes bypassing the Strait of Hormuz, Shunichi Kito, the president of the Petroleum ⁠Association of Japan (PAJ), told a news conference.

Kito stressed that the situation in the Middle East remains unstable, raising concerns over energy security, Caliber.Az reports via Reuters.

He said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are implementing projects to increase the capacity of oil pipelines that would allow crude to be transported without passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Authorities from both countries have proposed that Japan participate in these initiatives.

Kito noted that if a significant portion of supplies could be secured through routes that do not pass through the Strait of Hormuz, it would be extremely important for the stability of energy supplies.

“Drawing lessons from the ​Iran crisis, the ​oil industry ⁠will seek to strengthen supply chains by deepening ties with oil-producing countries, securing tanker capacity and improving ​refinery flexibility,” the president of the PAJ emphasised.

He added that the Petroleum ⁠Association of Japan would examine the issue in cooperation with the country’s government.

In recent years, more than 90% of Japan’s oil imports have come from Middle Eastern countries, with a significant share of these supplies transported through the Strait of Hormuz.

By Jeyhun Aghazada