The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most sensitive sea lanes due to the escalating war in the Middle East. About 20% of the world’s oil tankers pass through this route, but drone attacks, missile threats and naval tensions are now increasing. The situation is so serious that many shipping companies have almost stopped plying this route. Also, marine insurance companies and shipping companies around the world have banned insurance facilities on boats passing through here. Hours after US President Donald Trump threatened to seize the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has warned that it will not allow even a liter of oil to be sent from the Middle East if the attacks continue.
According to the US, it has attacked 45 Iranian naval ships, including 16 mine-laying ships operating near the Strait of Hormuz. Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, ships passing through this important sea route can now be tracked through a live tracker. Petrol prices have already surged ahead of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the White House has said the US military is considering other options to keep the route open.
According to reports, around 38 Indian-flagged commercial ships, with over 1,100 sailors on board, are stranded in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman due to the Iran war. The report also said that Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal held a meeting with officials including the Director General of Shipping and directed them to take steps for the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers as well as the protection of maritime assets. The stranded Indian ships include oil and PNG tankers, which are unable to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for fear of getting caught in the crossfire.
It is reported that India is considering sending its warships to the Strait of Hormuz to protect the ships supplying essential oil and gas. Pakistan is already using its navy ships to bring back two of its ships. On Tuesday (March 10), The New York Times quoted Captain PC Meena of the Directorate General of Shipping (Crew Branch) as saying that the government was considering sending a warship after Indian ship owners demanded naval escort.
Iran has closed the vital Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Sea following the attack by the US and Israel on February 28. Due to this, energy supply to dozens of countries has been disrupted. According to brokerage firm Jefferies, the Middle East supplies 55% of crude oil to India. 35% of the country’s oil imports go through the Strait of Hormuz. India meets about two-thirds of its LPG demand through imports, most of which comes from Gulf countries like UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. About 80 percent of India’s LPG imports pass through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
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