Another Two India-Bound LPG Tankers Cross Strait of Hormuz

Fulfilling its recent commitment to allow “non-hostile vessels” to transit the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has allowed two more Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers to pass through the critical waterway.

India’s shipping ministry confirmed on Sunday that the two ships were expected to dock safely in the country later this week.

The ministry said in a statement that two transport vessels, BW TYR and BW ELM, carrying a total of about 94,000 tonnes of LPG cargo were heading to the Indian coast.

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BW TYR is heading to Mumbai, while BW ELM is heading to New Mangalore, the statement said, adding that the two ships are expected to arrive in Mumbai on March 31 and New Mangalore on April 1 respectively.

Following recent U.S. and Israeli military strikes, Iran has all but halted maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s main thoroughfare for crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas.

Last week, however, it said it would allow “non-hostile vessels” to pass through the waterway if they coordinated with Iranian authorities.

Four other Indian LPG tankers had also passed through the strait earlier: Shivalik, Nanda Devi, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant. Hindustan Times of India report Both Pine Gas and Jag Vasant passed through the strait following “routes determined by Tehran authorities for vessels permitted to pass”.

Indian newspaper “The Hindu” also report A Greek crude oil tanker chartered by Pakistan National Shipping Lines was also allowed to pass through the waterway.

Coping with shortages

Meanwhile, 18 Indian-flagged ships and 485 Indian seafarers remain in the Gulf. These include the LPG carriers Jag Vikram, Green Asha and Green Sanvi, which are still in the western Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reportreferencing LSEG data.

India is the world’s fourth-largest buyer of LNG and second-largest buyer of LPG. Reuters said the country consumed 33.15 million tons of liquefied petroleum gas last year, with imports accounting for about 60% of demand. About 90% of these imports come from the Middle East, it added.

The Iran war and subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz passage triggered oil and gas shortages across Asia. Meanwhile, India is grappling with its worst gas crisis in decades

Worried about gas supply shortages, New Delhi has cut off industrial supplies to protect households from shortages of gas for cooking.

India is also loading LPG onto empty ships stranded in the Gulf.

• AFP, with additional editing and input by Vishakha Saxena

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Visakha Saxena

Vishakha Saxena is Asia Finance’s multimedia and social media editor. She has been a digital journalist since 2013 and is an experienced writer and multimedia producer. As a trader and investor, she is interested in the new economy, emerging markets, and the intersection of finance and society. You can write to her: [email protected]