Thailand has reached an agreement with Iran to allow Thai oil vessels safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, the Southeast Asian nation’s prime minister said on Saturday.
Iranian forces have effectively slowed shipping through the strait to a trickle during the Middle East war, which began on February 28.
“An agreement has been reached to allow Thai oil tankers to transit safely through the Strait of Hormuz,” Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told a news conference, adding that the development would alleviate concerns over fuel imports.
“With this agreement in place, there is greater confidence that disruptions like those seen in early March will not recur,” he added.
More than 80 per cent of the crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) that passes through the Strait of Hormuz heads to Asia, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
Much of South-east Asia is bearing the brunt of fuel supply difficulties, with Thailand initially capping the price for diesel before it rose this week by 6 baht per litre.
Anutin apologised for the public disruption caused by fuel price management, adding that it was hoped “the conflict might be short-lived”.
“The government will continue to adapt to evolving situations and adjust measures to minimise the impact on the public,” Anutin said.
A Thai bulk carrier travelling in the waterway was attacked this month and three of its crew members went missing.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said at the news conference with Anutin that “Iran has very recently indicated that it reached the vessel, but cannot confirm the condition of the three crew members”.
Commodities shipping through the Strait of Hormuz plunged 95 per cent between March 1 and 26 after the start of the war, according to the maritime tracking platform Kpler.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said yesterday they had turned back three ships trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the route was closed to vessels travelling to and from ports linked to its “enemies”.
Twenty-four commercial vessels, including 11 tankers, have been attacked or have reported incidents in the Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Oman this month, according to the British naval maritime security agency UKMTO.
