Kamal Ghorui
As India welcomed the arrival of three crude oil tankers at its ports that travelled through the Strait of Hormuz, two more vessels are scheduled to arrive in the coming days. The move signals cautious easing in the maritime movement of vessels despite ongoing tensions in the region.According to Reuters, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant are preparing to sail through the Strait of Hormuz.Both vessels are currently docked near the UAE’s Sharjah port and have indicated readiness to begin their journey, according to ship-tracking data.
The two tankers could set sail in the coming days, marking a potential resumption of movement through one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. The Strait of Hormuz, which handles nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, has seen significant disruption after Iran warned of possible attacks on vessels attempting to exit the Gulf. As a result, hundreds of ships have remained anchored, awaiting clarity on safe passage. According to shipping data and trade sources, no crude oil tankers transited the Strait of Hormuz in the past 24 hours, with hundreds of vessels anchoring in Gulf waters after Tehran warned of possible attacks on ships attempting to exit the region.Despite these risks, India has been actively engaging with stakeholders to ensure the safety of its fleet. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised the need for ‘safe and unhindered movement’ of Indian vessels.He highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in discussions with global leaders to secure safe passage for Indian ships in the Gulf.
Ships that have already arrived in India
Three Indian-flagged vessels have completed their journey through the Strait of Hormuz in recent days.The latest arrival was the Indian-flagged tanker Jag Laadki, which was docked at Mundra port in Gujarat on Wednesday. It carried around 80,886 metric tonnes of crude oil sourced from the UAE. Earlier, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi reached India’s shore. The two vessels together transported approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG, ensuring a continued supply of essential fuel despite disruptions in maritime traffic.These successful transits came after Iran allowed Indian-flagged vessels to pass through the strait following diplomatic engagements. Authorities in India are closely monitoring the situation. The Directorate General of Shipping is coordinating with shipowners, agencies and Indian missions in the Gulf to manage risks and minimise disruptions.Ports across the country have also been advised to extend support measures, including concessions on charges to ensure smooth handling of cargo amid the evolving crisis.
