A crude oil tanker carrying Saudi crude has reached Mumbai after navigating the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz, becoming the first India-bound vessel to safely pass through the route since hostilities escalated in the Gulf region.
The Liberia-flagged Suezmax tanker Shenlong docked at the Jawahar Dweep Terminal on Wednesday evening after sailing through waters where military activity and attacks have disrupted maritime traffic.
According to port officials, the vessel was carrying 1,35,335 metric tonnes of crude oil destined for refineries in Mumbai.
Voyage began in Saudi Arabia
The tanker’s journey began at Ras Tanura, where it loaded crude oil on March 1.
Two days later, the ship departed for India and headed towards the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow maritime channel connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea and one of the world’s most important energy routes.
A significant share of global oil shipments passes through this corridor, making it highly sensitive during times of conflict.
Ship vanished from tracking systems
As the vessel approached the strait, its movements were initially visible through maritime monitoring systems. However, its last transmitted location was recorded inside the strait on March 8, after which it disappeared from tracking databases.
Maritime experts believe the crew switched off the ship’s Automatic Identification System (AIS), a transponder that normally broadcasts a vessel’s identity, position and speed.
Switching off AIS, sometimes referred to as operating in “dark mode”, is rare because international maritime rules require ships to keep the system active.
In high-risk areas such as war zones, however, crews may temporarily disable the signal to avoid detection and reduce the risk of being targeted.
Also read: Hormuz must stay shut: Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba
Reappears after clearing the strait
The tanker reappeared on tracking systems the next day after clearing the Strait of Hormuz and continued its voyage toward India without further disruption.
Port officials said the vessel arrived in Mumbai at around 1 pm on Wednesday before berthing at the Jawahar Dweep Terminal.
Praveen Singh, deputy conservator of the Mumbai Port Authority, said the ship had begun unloading its crude cargo and the process was expected to take around 36 hours.
The tanker is owned by Shenlong Shipping Ltd and managed by Dynacom Tanker Management Ltd.
Rising risks in Hormuz
The tanker’s successful passage comes at a time when maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed significantly due to security concerns linked to the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
The strait, located between Iran and Oman, handles more than 20 million barrels of oil shipments daily.
Recent attacks have heightened risks for commercial vessels. A Thai bulk carrier, Mayuree Naree, was recently struck by projectiles while passing through the strait after leaving the United Arab Emirates.
With several ships delaying or diverting voyages, the safe arrival of Shenlong in Mumbai marks a rare successful transit through one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors amid the ongoing conflict.
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