First Malaysian-owned vessel granted safe passage through Strait of Hormuz
The Malaysian Foreign Ministry has confirmed that one of seven stranded vessels has been allowed to transit the Strait of Hormuz following high-level diplomatic talks between Kuala Lumpur and Tehran, amid ongoing regional volatility.
- A Malaysian-owned commercial vessel has successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz following diplomatic intervention.
- The release follows high-level discussions between Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.
- Six additional Malaysian-linked vessels remain awaiting clearance to navigate the vital maritime corridor.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed on 07 April 2026 that a Malaysian-owned commercial vessel, previously immobilised in the Strait of Hormuz, has been granted safe passage.
The vessel is currently proceeding to its final destination after being caught in a regional standoff that has impacted global maritime traffic.
According to a statement from the ministry, also known as Wisma Putra, this development is the result of intensive diplomatic efforts.
These included telephone discussions held on 26 March 2026 between Prime Minister Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoud Pezeshkian.
Further technical negotiations took place on 24 March 2026 between Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato’ Seri Utama Haji Mohamad bin Haji Hasan and his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.
Wisma Putra stated that Malaysia remains committed to the principles of freedom of navigation and the security of maritime passage in alignment with international law.
The ministry emphasised the necessity of continued dialogue to address regional challenges and maintain stability in the waterway, which handles approximately 20 per cent of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
Iran acknowledges vessel’s transit
The Iranian embassy in Malaysia acknowledged the transit via a social media post, which included an image of the vessel.
The embassy noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran maintains its commitments to its partners, stating that the first Malaysian ship had successfully passed through the strait.
While the ministry did not explicitly name the ship, maritime data from LSEG and Kpler indicated that the tanker, Ocean Thunder, passed near the Iranian coast en route to Pengerang, Johor.
The vessel, chartered by a subsidiary of Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas), is reportedly carrying approximately one million barrels of Basrah Heavy crude loaded in early March.
Regional tensions and restricted passage
The Ocean Thunder is believed to be one of several ships cleared for passage following a period of restricted access in the strait.
This restriction followed military escalations in late February 2026, which involved airstrikes conducted by United States and Israeli forces within the region.
The transit occurred shortly after Iranian authorities announced that Iraqi cargo would be exempt from certain passage restrictions.
Minister Mohamad Hasan previously identified that seven ships linked to Malaysian entities, including Petronas, Vantris Energy Bhd, and MISC Bhd, had been awaiting clearance to navigate the corridor.
The regional situation remains complex as the United States President confirmed a high-risk recovery mission on 06 April 2026 involving two airmen shot down in Iran.
Although the airmen were returned safely, the United States has warned of potential strikes on infrastructure if a diplomatic resolution is not reached.
Despite the successful transit of the first vessel, diplomatic efforts continue to secure the passage of the remaining six Malaysian-linked ships.
The broader region continues to experience high levels of tension regarding ceasefire terms and risks to civilian infrastructure.
