In a respite from India's energy crisis amid the US-Iran war, two LPG carriers from the UAE and a crude oil tanker from Saudi Arabia are en route to Indian ports via the Strait of Hormuz. The escalating shipping blockade in the Persian Gulf has also severely crippled regional energy supplies.
Two Indian-flagged vessels—the MV Jag Vasant and the MV Pine Gas—departed their UAE ports at 6:00 AM IST on Monday, bound for India. Sailing just five nautical miles apart, the ships were allowed to proceed after securing transit clearance from Iran.
The vehicles carrying 92,612.59 MT of LPG transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening, the shipping ministry said.
The vessels have 33 and 27 Indian seafarers on board, respectively.
According to the ministry, the Jag Vasant is likely to reach Kandla port on March 26, and Pine Gas is scheduled to reach New Mangalore on March 28.
Indian Navy warships will escort the LPG vessels for 24 hours through the Gulf of Oman before the merchant ships begin their journey toward India’s west coast ports.
The MT Kallista, a Panama-flagged crude oil carrier currently loading at the Saudi Arabian port of Yanbu, is scheduled to depart on Tuesday for Paradip Port in India via Jeddah. To ensure safe passage, Indian Navy warships will provide an escort through the high-risk Gulf of Aden, in coordination with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
Amid ongoing missile and drone strikes across the Persian Gulf, Indian crews stationed aboard tankers in the conflict zone are facing severe psychological stress. In response, the Indian Navy—alongside vessel owners—is actively providing operational and mental health support.
Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi cancelled his visit to Australia and New Zealand scheduled from March 19-23 in the wake of the ongoing crisis.
Did India pay $2 million to pass through the Strait of Hormuz?
Currently, no reports indicate that India has paid $2 million to pass through the Strait of Hormuz. But reports said that Iran is charging $2 million per vessel for the transit through the passage.
A statement from the Iranian embassy in India stated that these claims are false.
“In response to certain claims regarding the alleged receipt of a sum of 2 million dollars by the Islamic Republic of Iran from vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, it is emphasised that such claims are unfounded. The statements made in this regard merely reflect the personal views of individuals and do not, in any way, represent the official position of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” read the official statement on X.
Meanwhile, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Council (IRGC) is not allowing an Indian warship to escort Indian-flagged vessels through the passage.
The Indian Navy has been tasked with deploying its Kolkata-class destroyers around the Gulf of Oman and Aden to ensure the safe passage of these vessels.