Khaberni - An official and a major oil company in Thailand said on Wednesday that a company-owned oil tanker crossed the Strait of Hormuz safely following diplomatic coordination between Thailand and Iran, and it was not asked to pay any financial compensation to avoid the closure imposed on the navigational passageway.
The tanker, owned by the company (Bangchak Corporation), crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday after successful talks between the Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and the Iranian ambassador to Thailand.
Sihasak told reporters late Tuesday, "I asked them to help ensure the safe passage of Thai ships if they needed to cross the strait."
He added, "They responded that they would take care of it, and asked us to provide them with the names of the ships that would cross."
The American-Israeli war on Iran has halted the movement of approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies that were passing through the Strait of Hormuz, causing widespread disruptions.
Since the outbreak of the war on February 28, Thailand has seen a sharp increase in transportation costs and long queues at fuel stations, despite government assurances that supplies were still sufficient.
The safe passage of the Thai oil tanker comes two weeks after the bulk cargo ship Mayuri Nari, flying the Thai flag, was attacked with a projectile in the strait, causing a fire on board and forcing the crew to evacuate.
According to the Thai Foreign Ministry, Iranian and Omani authorities reached the ship, but Thailand is still waiting for information about the fate of three missing crew members.
Sihasak said that another Thai ship, owned by SCG Chemicals, is still waiting to get permission to cross the strait.
