7th India-flagged LPG tanker crosses Hormuz safely; 17 more in queue
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New Delhi: Another India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tanker, Green Sanvi, has successfully transited east of the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the seventh Indian vessel to clear the strategic maritime chokepoint amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, according to ship tracking data.
The vessel navigated the sensitive waterway through a designated corridor within Iran’s territorial waters.
Green Sanvi is estimated to be carrying around 44,000 tonnes of LPG, roughly equivalent to half a day’s consumption in India prior to the conflict, industry experts said. Two more India-flagged LPG tankers—Green Asha and Jag Vikram—are expected to cross the Strait and head to India in the coming days.
With this transit, Green Sanvi becomes the seventh India-flagged merchant vessel to pass through the Strait since the onset of the West Asia war, with all seven being LPG carriers.
There are currently 17 India-flagged ships operating in the Persian Gulf region east of the Strait. These include three additional LPG tankers, four crude oil tankers, one liquefied natural gas tanker, one chemical products tanker, three container ships, two bulk carriers, and two vessels undergoing routine maintenance, according to shipping records.
India has been engaging diplomatically with Iran to ensure the safe passage of its merchant vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran, which has imposed restrictions on maritime movements amid the conflict, clarified last week that non-hostile vessels linked to countries outside the US, Israel and their allies can transit the strait in coordination with Iranian authorities.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the waterway remains operational for countries considered friendly, including China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan, whose vessels have been allowed to pass through the chokepoint.
During its transit, Green Sanvi signalled its Indian identity and that of its crew, a practice that has become standard for vessels coordinating with Iranian authorities.
The Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea, remains a vital global energy corridor, and ensuring safe navigation has become increasingly critical amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
The successful passage of Green Sanvi underscores India’s efforts to secure its energy supply lines despite regional disruptions and highlights the importance of diplomatic coordination and maritime safety measures in maintaining uninterrupted trade flows.
With IANS inputs