Two More Indian LPG Tankers Cross Strait of Hormuz Safely Amid Regional Conflict
In a significant development for India's energy security, two additional Indian-flagged LPG tankers have successfully crossed the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz and are now en route to Indian ports. This safe passage occurs even as sixteen vessels remain stranded in the volatile Persian Gulf region, according to officials speaking on Monday.
Details of the Safe Passage
Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, provided specific details during a briefing. The LPG vessel Green Sanvi, carrying a substantial 46,650 tonnes of cargo, is scheduled to reach an Indian port on April 7. Its counterpart, Green Asha, with 15,500 tonnes of LPG, is expected to arrive on April 9.
"Indian maritime operations remain safe and uninterrupted amid the West Asia crisis," Mangal stated. "Sixteen Indian-flagged vessels with 433 seafarers are currently in the region; two LPG carriers, Green Sanvi and Green Asha, have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz."
Context of the Strait of Hormuz Situation
With this latest movement, a total of eight Indian-flagged LPG tankers have now transited through this strategic waterway. The strait has been largely disrupted since February 28, when the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran's retaliation. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for global oil and gas flows—has been severely affected, although Iran has indicated that "non-hostile vessels" may pass after coordination with its authorities.
Status of Stranded Vessels
Of the sixteen vessels still in the Persian Gulf, the breakdown is as follows:
- One loaded LNG carrier
- Two LPG tankers (one loaded, one empty)
- Six crude carriers (five loaded, one empty)
- Three container ships
- One dredger
- One chemical cargo carrier
- Two bulk carriers
Addressing reports of Iran charging transit fees, Mangal clarified, "We have no information of such payments."
Impact on India's LPG Supply
The arrivals of these tankers are expected to alleviate India's LPG supply concerns significantly. The country depends on imports for approximately 60% of its cooking gas needs. Last year, India consumed 33.15 million tonnes of LPG, with nearly 90% of imports originating from West Asia.
Recent Shipping Movements
This development follows recent safe passages by other vessels:
- Last week, two LPG carriers, BW TYR and BW ELM, carrying around 94,000 tonnes of LPG, safely crossed the region. BW TYR reached Mumbai on March 31, while BW ELM docked at New Mangalore on April 1.
- Earlier in March, four Indian-flagged LPG tankers—Pine Gas, Jag Vasant, MT Shivalik, and MT Nanda Devi—completed safe passage, delivering over 1.85 lakh tonnes of LPG to Indian ports.
At the onset of the conflict, twenty-eight Indian-flagged vessels were in the Strait of Hormuz region. To date, ten vessels—eight from the western side and two from the eastern side—have managed to transit safely.
Additional Notable Transits
In related movements, the oil tanker Jag Laadki, carrying 80,886 tonnes of crude from the UAE, reached Mundra on March 18. Another vessel, Jag Prakash, transporting gasoline from Oman to Africa, also crossed the strait earlier and is currently en route to Tanzania.
These successful transits underscore the resilience of Indian shipping operations in a geopolitically tense environment, ensuring the continuous flow of essential energy resources to the nation.
