Photo/IllutrationA sign of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd. (Takashi Yoshida)

A third Japan-affiliated vessel has safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively closed by Iran, according to transport minister Yasushi Kaneko.

“We will continue to thoroughly gather information, giving the top priority to ensuring the safety of seafarers and vessels,” Kaneko told reporters on April 6.

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As of the same day, 42 Japan-affiliated vessels remained anchored in the Persian Gulf west of the Strait of Hormuz due to the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East.

The India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas carrier Green Asha, owned by a company affiliated with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Ltd., is sailing toward India, the shipping company said.

No Japanese nationals are on board.

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Among Japan-affiliated vessels, the Panama-flagged liquefied natural gas carrier Sohar LNG, jointly owned by Mitsui O.S.K. Lines and an Omani company, became the first to transit the Strait of Hormuz by April 3.

A second vessel, the India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas carrier Green Sanvi, owned by an Indian company affiliated with Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, also passed through the strait by April 4.