Indian vessels in Strait of Hormuz proceeding cautiously amid conflict, government says

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways on Wednesday said that 20 Indian vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz are moving cautiously after detailed risk assessments as tensions continue in the region.

Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the ministry, said ship operators are factoring in the evolving security situation before proceeding.

Iran has allowed vessels from what it termed “non-hostile” nations to pass through the critical maritime route.

Earlier this week, two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, safely crossed the strait and are expected to reach Indian ports between March 26 and March 28. The ships, travelling together, are carrying a combined 92,612 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, roughly equivalent to a day’s cooking gas requirement for the country.

Pine Gas has 33 Indian crew members, while Jag Vasant is staffed by 27 Indians.

According to ship-tracking data, both vessels navigated waters between Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands, a route used to verify vessel ownership before granting passage.

The two tankers were among 22 Indian vessels earlier stranded in the Persian Gulf after hostilities disrupted movement through the narrow channel linking major oil and gas producers to global markets.

Previously, two other LPG carriers, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, had successfully reached India. Shivalik docked at Mundra port on March 16, followed by Nanda Devi at Kandla a day later, after crossing the strait on March 14.

At the peak of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, 28 Indian-flagged vessels were near the Strait of Hormuz. Of these, 24 were west of the passage and four to the east, with a few now having moved to safety.