Indian LPG Tanker Successfully Navigates Hormuz Strait Amid Regional Tensions

by

Ganpat Singh Chouhan

Indian LPG Tanker Successfully Navigates Hormuz Strait Amid Regional Tensions

New Delhi, April 4: Amid ongoing conflicts in West Asia, another Indian-flagged LPG tanker, Green Sanvi, has successfully passed through the Hormuz Strait. According to ship tracking data, this marks the seventh Indian vessel to safely navigate this crucial maritime route.

The tanker utilized a designated path through Iranian waters to traverse these strategically sensitive waters. It is estimated that the tanker carries approximately 44,000 tons of LPG, equivalent to nearly half a day’s LPG consumption in India before the onset of the ongoing conflicts in West Asia.

Industrial experts predict that two more Indian LPG tankers, Green Asha and Jag Vikram, are expected to cross the Strait and return to India in the coming days.

Since the outbreak of the West Asia conflict, Green Sanvi has become the seventh Indian-flagged merchant vessel to pass through the Hormuz Strait, all of which have been LPG tankers. With its passage, there are now 17 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf area east of the Strait.

Shipping records indicate that this fleet includes three additional LPG tankers, four crude oil tankers, one liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, one chemical product tanker, three container ships, two bulk carriers, and two vessels undergoing regular maintenance.

India is actively engaging in diplomatic discussions with Iran to ensure a safe passage for its merchant ships through the Hormuz Strait. Iran has imposed significant restrictions on vessel movements amid the ongoing West Asia conflict. Last week, it clarified that non-hostile vessels from countries other than the U.S., Israel, and their allies can pass through the Strait in coordination with Iranian authorities.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed that this maritime route is open to nations considered friendly, allowing vessels from China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan to transit through the chokepoint.

During its transit, Green Sanvi prominently displayed its Indian identity and the identities of its crew members, a practice that has become standard for vessels coordinating with Iranian authorities.

The Hormuz Strait connects the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. It remains a vital maritime chokepoint for global energy supplies, making safe navigation for commercial vessels increasingly crucial amid geopolitical tensions.

The successful passage of Green Sanvi highlights India’s efforts to secure energy supply lines despite ongoing regional challenges and underscores the importance of collaborative diplomacy and maritime security measures to maintain uninterrupted trade flow.

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