EL7.AI
CommoditiesMediumUpdated•Originally published 22 May 2026•Updated 17 June 2026•
2 min read

Japan Receives First Saudi Crude via Hormuz Since Conflict Outset

Digital illustration of a green oil tanker, maps of Japan and Saudi Arabia, and an oil barrel on a yellow background.

Key Facts

1The VLCC Idemitsu Maru, carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude, is scheduled to arrive in Japan on May 25.
2This marks the first Middle East crude shipment to reach Japan via the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began on February 28.
3Japan's crude imports from the Middle East plummeted by 67.2% in April, the lowest volume on record since 1979.

The VLCC Idemitsu Maru, carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi crude, is scheduled to arrive in Japan on May 25. This shipment marks the first Middle East crude delivery to reach Japan via the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict began on February 28. The arrival follows a period of severe supply constraints where Japan's crude imports from the Middle East plummeted by 67.2% in April, reaching their lowest volume since 1979 according to the Japan Finance Ministry.

This development represents a critical breakthrough for Japanese energy security, particularly for refiners like Idemitsu Kosan and Eneos Holdings. Peer analysis shows that global refining margins have been under pressure due to supply chain disruptions, with major energy firms reporting mixed Q1 results amid the maritime blockade (per Reuters reports). The resumption of transit through Hormuz is expected to ease the risk premium on shipping costs that spiked during the closure.

Investors are closely monitoring 5019.T following the news, as the Japanese economy showed resilience with an annualized GDP growth of 2.1% reported on May 18, 2026, per market data. Future catalysts include the consistency of subsequent shipments to rebuild depleted inventories and upcoming trade balance data which will reflect the impact of normalized energy import costs.