US Amazed, How an Indonesian Oil Ship Can Travel Safely in the Red Sea


JakartaHerald.com - The remarkable journey of the Indonesian Pertamina tanker ship, Gamsunoro, has captured global attention. 

Despite facing attacks from Houthi militants and their allies, including Israel, the United States, and the United Kingdom, the vessel successfully navigated the treacherous waters of the Red Sea. On January 26, 2024, Vesselfinder reported that the ship had safely docked in Rabigh, Saudi Arabia.

Gamsunoro, sailing under the Indonesian flag, displayed remarkable resilience throughout its journey. With a speed of 9.4 knots, the tanker ship braved the tension-filled Red Sea, which had become a battleground between the Houthi and the US. 

This tension had escalated following the Houthi's declaration of support for Hamas, amidst the Israel-Hamas conflict that ignited in October 2023. In response to Israel's aggression, the Houthi vowed to target any ships travelling to or from Israel.

However, despite these threats, only a handful of ships, including Gamsunoro, were targeted in attacks. This incident has led the world's largest container shipping company to avoid the region altogether.

In response, the UK and the US launched airstrikes on Yemen, amplifying the already fraught situation. The Houthi group retaliated by declaring its intention to continue attacking ships in the Red Sea, further heightening tensions in the region.

Nevertheless, Gamsunoro managed to successfully navigate through these hazardous waters, evading the attacks of the Houthi. 

Media reports on January 18, 2024, highlighted the surprise that only two Aframax tankers, including Gamsunoro, had managed to pass through the besieged Bab al-Mandab Strait. These tankers, carrying heavy fuel, had last stopped in Fujairah, one of the world's largest oil fuel centers located in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The impact of attacks in the Red Sea has been significant, disrupting vital shipping routes between Europe and Asia, which account for approximately 15% of global shipping traffic. 

Most major container shipping companies have opted to avoid this route altogether, instead opting for longer journeys around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa. Vincent Clerc, the CEO of Maersk, the largest container shipping company, recently noted in the Financial Times that rebuilding a safe route through the Red Sea could potentially take months. 

This disruption to major shipping routes increases the likelihood of inflationary pressures and erodes supply network flexibility, as highlighted in a recent World Bank report.

Amidst these tumultuous events, it is worth noting that the Gamsunoro ship, with its IMO number 9677313 and MMSI 525008093, is a Crude Oil Tanker built in 2014 and sailing under the Indonesian flag.

Indonesia, known for its support of Palestine, demonstrated incredible bravery by traversing the Red Sea, covertly sending hidden code messages to the Houthi.

It is essential to approach this subject matter with professionalism, understanding the immense challenges faced by Gamsunoro and the broader implications of disruptions to vital shipping routes. 

The resilience exhibited by the Indonesian tanker ship highlights the importance of maintaining open shipping lanes and safeguarding international trade.

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