Pertamina Tankers Trapped: Indonesia Defies Iran’s ‘Hormuz Toll’ as Negotiations Hit Deadlock

JAKARTA, Investortrust.id — Indonesia is locked in a high-stakes maritime standoff with Iran. Foreign Minister Sugiono revealed Wednesday that two tankers owned by Pertamina—the state-owned energy giant—remain trapped in the Arabian Gulf as diplomatic efforts to navigate the Strait of Hormuz hit a wall of internal Iranian political chaos.

The Hormuz chokepoint has become a literal cage for 2 million barrels of light crude oil destined for Indonesian refineries. Any prolonged delay threatens the energy security of Southeast Asia’s largest economy and adds to the war premium on global oil prices. More significantly, Indonesia’s refusal to pay 'transit fees' to Iran marks a rare moment of public friction between Jakarta and Tehran, signaling that the freedom of navigation principle has become a non-negotiable red line for emerging market powers.

Internal Chaos in Tehran

Minister Sugiono painted a grim picture of the current diplomatic channel with Tehran. Despite active communication through the Indonesian Embassy, he indicated that the Iranian government is suffering from a severe "command and control" breakdown between its diplomatic corps and military forces on the water.

"The problem is becoming increasingly complex with the internal situation occurring in Iran itself," Sugiono said during a press conference at the Presidential Palace on Wednesday (4/22/2026). "Sometimes what is policy from the top is not necessarily implemented on the ground. That is what we are trying to resolve."

The "Toll Road" Rejection

Indonesia has officially aligned with a 20-nation coalition, including the UK and France, to oppose Iran's move to monetize the strait. The group is standing firm against any "toll fee" for passing through the international waterway, which Iran has reportedly attempted to impose amidst its current economic blockade.

"Essentially, the countries in the conference reject any type of fee or toll collection for ships passing through Hormuz," Sugiono stated. "This is contrary to the principle of freedom of navigation." As a result, the international community is now discussing radical options, including UN-mandated security protections or direct naval escorts for commercial vessels.

Pertamina Pride and Gamsunoro on Standby

The two vessels at the heart of the crisis are the VLCC Pertamina Pride and the Gamsunoro. Pertamina International Shipping (PIS)—the shipping arm of the national oil company—confirmed that the Pertamina Pride is carrying a "crucial" cargo of light crude oil intended to meet domestic energy needs, while the Gamsunoro is carrying third-party cargo.

Interim Corporate Secretary of PIS, Vega Pita, stated on April 8 that the company is monitoring the situation 24/7. "The company's priority remains the safety of all crew members, as well as the security of the ship and its cargo," Vega said. While PIS has successfully moved two other vessels, the Rinjani and Paragon, out of the conflict zone earlier this month, the Pride and Gamsunoro remain the final pieces of the puzzle for Indonesia’s regional energy distribution.