Indian Tankers Transit Hormuz After Iranian Permission Amidst Blockade

Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have transited the Strait of Hormuz after receiving permission from Iran. This development occurred amidst an Iranian blockade of the key sea route following recent attacks.

Two Indian-flagged tankers transporting LPG crossed the Strait of Hormuz safely early Saturday morning, now en route to India. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed the passage.

Passage Details

New Delhi reported that these two Indian-flagged tankers, transporting LPG, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz early Saturday morning. These vessels are now en route to India. Rajesh Kumar Sinha of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed the passage at a New Delhi briefing.

Strait of Hormuz Blockade

Iran had significantly restricted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel initiated an attack on Iran late last month. The Strait is a crucial maritime passage, typically handling one-fifth of global oil supplies.

The ongoing blockade has contributed to a critical shortage of cooking gas in India, a nation with established ties to Iran.

Diplomatic Engagements

Mohammad Fathali, Iran’s ambassador to India, stated on Saturday that Tehran permitted certain Indian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Fathali did not specify the exact number of vessels granted safe passage. Previously, Iran had indicated it would not allow supplies for the U.S. or its allies to exit the strait, prompting India to seek exemptions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly discussed the transit of goods and energy from the Gulf with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian on Thursday.

India's Internal Measures

In response to the domestic cooking fuel shortage, the Indian government invoked emergency powers last week. These powers directed refiners to maximize LPG production and reduced sales to industrial sectors to safeguard supplies for the country's 333 million homes with LPG connections.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas also announced an amendment prohibiting consumers with piped natural gas (PNG) connections from obtaining, retaining, or refilling domestic LPG cylinders. Government oil companies are also barred from providing new LPG connections or refills to consumers already utilizing PNG.