Two Indian flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz, India’s Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways confirmed on Saturday, marking a rare safe passage in the critical maritime corridor disrupted by the ongoing Middle East war.
The vessels, named “Shivalik” and “Nanda Devi”, were transporting approximately 92,700 metric tonnes of LPG. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, India’s special secretary for the ministry, stated that the tankers crossed the strait early Saturday and are en route to India’s western ports of Mundra and Kandla.
India, the world’s fourth largest buyer of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and second largest buyer of LPG, has faced supply disruptions due to Tehran’s near total halt of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about a fifth of global crude oil and natural gas normally pass.
The Indian Ministry of Petroleum recently issued stricter controls on natural and cooking gas to ensure equitable distribution and continued supply to households transport sectors and LPG production. Several industries including ceramics and tile firms have reported cutbacks in gas supplies, while hotels and restaurants warned of operational disruptions.
The safe passage of the two tankers follows diplomatic engagements between New Delhi and Tehran in recent days. Indian Foreign Minister S Jaishankar confirmed discussions with Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi on bilateral matters energy transit and BRICS related issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian regarding transit of goods and energy from the Gulf.
India has additionally provided safe harbour to 183 sailors from the Iranian vessel IRIS Lavan docking at Kochi, and facilitated the transfer of remains from the Iranian frigate IRIS Dena, sunk earlier this month off the coast of Sri Lanka.
The successful transit is seen as a significant achievement for India in maintaining energy supply chains amid heightened regional tensions.
Leave a comment