2 Indian LPG tankers approved to pass through Strait of Hormuz amid West Asia crisis

New Delhi, 23 March. The relief news amid the ongoing crisis in West Asia is that two more Indian ships carrying cooking gas will reach India in the next few days after passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This gives hope that the LPG crisis will reduce in India. Ship-tracking data showed that the ships, Jag Vasanth and Pine Gas, were passing through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz after receiving safe passage clearance.

‘Jag Vasant’ and ‘Pine Gas’ to reach India in next few days

Both ships are carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is used extensively for cooking in India. Both ships began their journey on Monday morning, leaving the UAE coast and approaching Iran’s coast near Qeshm and Larak islands. The ships indicated Indian ownership through their tracking systems, a precautionary measure taken by many ships navigating this sensitive route.

According to media reports, if the ships’ journey continues without any interruption, they are expected to reach the Gulf of Oman by Monday evening. It takes approximately 14 hours to travel the entire distance through the Strait of Hormuz.

All this comes at a time when the strait, a vital global route for oil and gas shipments, has been hit hard by rising tensions following US and Israeli attacks in the region in late February. Since then, Iran has largely banned waterways and, after negotiations, has allowed only selected ships belonging to some Asian countries, including India, to pass.

Shipping patterns show that Iran is controlling traffic by directing ships to pass along its coastline. In contrast, common roads near Oman are at risk. There was a report of an attack on a ship earlier this month.

Both ‘Jag Vasant’ and ‘Pine Gas’ had entered the Persian Gulf in late February, just before the fighting escalated. Jag Vasant loaded LPG from Kuwait while Pine Gas picked up its cargo from UAE. Both ships were stranded in this area due to tension. Earlier this month, two more Indian-flagged LPG carriers had also successfully completed similar voyages.