A tanker loaded with crude oil from Russia's Sakhalin-2 project has arrived at a facility in Ehime Prefecture, Japan—the first such import since U.S.-Israeli strikes closed the Strait of Hormuz in February.
Following an announcement two days ago, the tanker—tracked leaving Sakhalin in late April—has docked in western Japan's Ehime Prefecture, as reported by The Japan Times. Wholesaler Taiyo Oil Co purchased the shipment from the Gazprom-led Sakhalin-2 project, in which Japanese firms Mitsubishi Corp and Mitsui & Co hold stakes.
This Russian crude is exempt from Western sanctions related to Ukraine. The arrival underscores Japan's push to diversify from Middle East supplies disrupted by the Hormuz closure, building on earlier moves like tapping strategic reserves.
