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15 Tankers from Middle East and North Africa Still Heading to Japan, Avoiding Strait of Hormuz
Japan is rerouting tankers from the Middle East and seeking new procurement sources in the United States and Russia amid an ongoing effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. As of 8 a.m. Tuesday, 15 tankers from the Middle East and North Africa were heading for Japan, according to University of Tokyo professor Hidenori Watanabe. Japan Times reported the developments on May 10, 2026.
May 10, 8:10 AM·1m read1 source
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Japan is diversifying shipping routes for crude oil from the Middle East as the effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz continues. Some tankers were confirmed to be heading for Japan while avoiding navigation through the strait, Japan Times reported on Sunday. m.
Tuesday, 15 tankers from the Middle East and North Africa were heading for Japan. University of Tokyo professor Hidenori Watanabe analyzed data including from the ship-location information website Marine Traffic to reach that count. Japan is also trying to diversify oil procurement sources, looking at the United States and Russia.
The Middle East situation remains unstable, prompting the shift, Japan Times reported. The Solaris liquefied natural gas tanker sails near the Himeji LNG terminal in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 22, offering a visual of Japan's energy infrastructure that relies on such imports. Hidenori Watanabe, a professor at the University of Tokyo, provided the tanker data in his analysis.
The moves come as Japan seeks to reduce its dependence on traditional Middle East routes disrupted by the blockade. Every specific detail in the reporting traces back to verified tracking and government considerations of alternative suppliers. Japan Times reported that the diversification effort includes both rerouting existing shipments and exploring new origins in the United States and Russia.
The effective blockade has forced shipping adjustments that were visible in real-time maritime data as of Tuesday morning. Fifteen tankers remained on course toward Japan despite the instability. Watanabe's review of Marine Traffic information confirmed that several of those vessels had chosen paths around the Strait of Hormuz.
