New Delhi, March 12: Following discussions between India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, Iran has granted permission for Indian-flagged tankers to transit through the Hormuz Strait. This decision aims to keep vital maritime routes open for the transport of crude oil and natural gas.
Sources indicate that the Indian tankers ‘Pushpak’ and ‘Parimal’ are now safely navigating the Hormuz Strait. In contrast, vessels from the United States, Europe, and Israel face restrictions in this critical waterway.
The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in West Asia, with maritime traffic through the Hormuz Strait being a key topic. This meeting marks their third conversation since the onset of conflict in the region.
In a related case, a Liberian-flagged tanker carrying Saudi crude oil successfully crossed the Hormuz Strait and docked at Mumbai Port. The captain of this vessel was Indian.
Following attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, maritime traffic in the area has significantly slowed. This tanker became the first to reach India amidst these challenges. The ‘Shenlong Suezmax’ loaded crude oil from the Saudi port of Ras Tanura on March 1 and departed two days later.
According to maritime tracking data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence and TankerTrackers, the last recorded location of the vessel before entering Indian waters was within the Hormuz Strait on March 8.
The successful passage of this tanker is expected to alleviate growing concerns over potential disruptions in India’s energy supply.
As India moves towards becoming Asia’s third-largest economy, it heavily relies on the Hormuz Strait, with over half of its crude oil and natural gas imports passing through this narrow maritime corridor.
Despite the safe transit of some vessels, several Indian ships remain in or around this sensitive route. The Directorate General of Shipping reports that at least 28 Indian-flagged ships have been operating in or near the Hormuz Strait since the conflict began.
Officials stated that eight Indian-flagged vessels, which were east of the Hormuz Strait when the conflict started, have now moved to safer waters. A report from the Directorate General of Shipping noted that in recent days, seven of these ships—’Desh Mahima’, ‘Desh Abhiman’, ‘Swarn Kamal’, ‘Vishv Prerna’, ‘Jag Virat’, ‘Jag Lokesh’, and ‘LNGC Aseem’—have exited the Hormuz Strait and reached the Arabian Sea. Another vessel, ‘Jag Lakshya’, is heading towards Angola. Meanwhile, tensions in the region remain high.
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K.K./V.C.
My name is Himanshu Tiwari. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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