More Indian LPG Tankers Transit Hormuz Amid Gulf Tensions

Two more Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers, identified as Green Asha and Green Sanvi, have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz and exited the Persian Gulf, carrying vital fuel shipments destined for India. This development, confirmed by ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler, marks a significant but cautious step amidst heightened geopolitical tensions in the West Asia region. The transits, which occurred over the past two days, bring the total number of Indian-flagged LPG carriers that have navigated the strategic waterway since the onset of the current crisis to eight. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint connecting the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, has been under severe disruption following what multiple sources describe as a 'U.S.-Israeli war against Iran' or 'West Asia crisis' that commenced with attacks around February 28. This conflict has significantly impacted shipping through the strait, effectively halting traffic for many vessels. However, Iran has stated that 'non-hostile vessels' are permitted to transit the waterway provided they coordinate with Iranian authorities. India has actively engaged with Iran and other regional stakeholders at a diplomatic level to ensure the safe passage of its merchant vessels, and this engagement appears to be yielding results, making India one of the few countries successfully facilitating such transits. Despite the successful passage of Green Asha and Green Sanvi, the situation remains complex, with 16 other Indian-flagged vessels, carrying a total of 433 seafarers, still operating or stranded in the broader Persian Gulf region. Among these, one Indian LPG vessel, Jag Vikram, is reportedly still positioned west of the Strait of Hormuz, awaiting further instructions or safe passage. The stranded fleet comprises a diverse mix of vessels, including LNG carriers, crude oil tankers, container ships, dredgers, chemical carriers, and bulk carriers, highlighting the wide-ranging impact of the tensions on various cargo flows. The successful transits are crucial for India, which is the world's second-largest importer of LPG. The nation is currently grappling with what is being described as its worst gas crisis in decades. India relies heavily on imports to meet its cooking gas demands, with approximately 60% of its LPG consumption coming from abroad, and a staggering 90% of those imports originating from the Middle East. The government has already resorted to cutting supplies for industries to prioritize households and mitigate potential shortages of cooking gas. State-run refiners are reportedly deferring maintenance and ramping up LPG output, while the government is tightening supply monitoring amid the ongoing West Asia tensions. Indian officials, including Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, have confirmed these movements and affirmed that Indian maritime operations remain safe and uninterrupted amidst the West Asia crisis. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is closely monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, recruitment and placement services licence (RPSL) agencies, and Indian Missions. The DG Shipping Control Room operates 24/7, handling a substantial volume of communications related to the crisis. Furthermore, efforts have been made to repatriate Indian seafarers from the affected region, with over 1,599 seafarers already facilitated for safe return, including 345 Indian fishermen who returned from Iran via Armenia to Chennai on April 4, 2026. While Green Sanvi is expected to reach an Indian port on April 7, Green Asha is scheduled to arrive on April 9. These arrivals are critical to alleviate the domestic supply crunch. The ongoing fluidity in the Strait of Hormuz underscores the fragility of global energy supply chains and the profound impact of regional conflicts on international trade and national economies, particularly for import-dependent nations like India.

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