Overview
- The tanker's arrival Tuesday at ENEOS's Negishi refinery marks the first Central Asian crude delivery since tensions with Iran worsened.
- The cargo delivered 648,000 barrels to the Yokohama facility, according to Japanese press reports.
- Japan's industry ministry says the purchase is part of a plan to broaden suppliers and cut exposure to routes that run through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Since late April, tankers from the United States and Russia have also docked in Japan, and Mexico has said it plans to export oil to Japan.
- Japan has long refined crude that is roughly 90% Middle Eastern in origin, so adding new routes and blends could lower disruption risk and may require steady contracts and refinery adjustments.