Two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tankers are preparing to navigate the Strait of Hormuz in the coming days, despite a total halt in crude oil shipments through the vital waterway over the last 24 hours. According to reports from Reuters, shipping data and trade sources suggest these vessels may soon resume their journeys after a period of enforced idleness that has seen hundreds of ships drop anchor due to escalating regional tensions.
The situation remains precarious following warnings from Tehran that it might target vessels attempting to leave the Gulf. As a narrow corridor through which nearly 20 per cent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies must pass, any disruption to the Strait of Hormuz has immediate global consequences. Market assessments on Friday confirmed that not a single crude oil tanker had transited the strait in the previous day, while data from Kpler noted that a sanctioned, empty tanker even turned back towards Iranian waters earlier this week.
In this volatile environment, the Indian LPG carriers Pine Gas and Jag Vasant have been positioned near Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. Tracking data from Marine Traffic indicates that both ships are now broadcasting signals suggesting they are readying for departure. While a trade source hinted that the tankers could set sail as early as Saturday, official confirmation remains elusive. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, a special secretary in India’s shipping ministry, noted that specific details were unavailable, and the Indian foreign ministry has maintained a predictably cautious stance.
Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised on Friday that India is pushing for the "safe and unhindered movement" of its fleet, which currently includes 22 ships in the Gulf region. He also confirmed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been engaging with global leaders to ensure their safe passage. The vessels in question are linked to major Indian energy firms; the Jag Vasant is chartered by BPCL, while Pine Gas is operated by IOC, though neither company has commented on the current status of the ships.
There is some precedent for movement despite the blockades. Last week, Iran reportedly permitted two other Indian-flagged carriers to pass through the strait, suggesting that certain shipments are being negotiated on a case-by-case basis. Moreover, a Pakistan-bound tanker has already successfully completed the journey, which indicates that a few vessels are still passing through the region in the larger context of the conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran. The focus is currently on these two Indian oil tankers, as their movement will indicate whether or not commercial activity has resumed in one of the most critical maritime regions in the world.
Also read: Trump considers ending Iran war, urges others to guard Hormuz
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