Saturday, March 29, 2025
New Delhi: March 24, 2026
Amidst the severe shipping crisis in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the ongoing war between the US, Israel, and Iran, significant relief has emerged for India. Despite approximately 500 tankers being stranded in the Persian Gulf, the supply of crude oil and LPG from the UAE and Saudi Arabia to India has resumed.
According to reports, two Indian LPG carriers, ‘Jag Vasant’ and ‘Pyne Gas’, departed from UAE ports for India on Monday morning. Iran has granted these vessels permission to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and Indian Navy warships are providing 24-hour protection in the Gulf of Oman.
Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary of the Ministry of Ports and Waterways, stated that these two vessels are transporting approximately 92,000 tonnes of LPG.
| Vessel Name | Cargo | Destination | Expected Arrival |
| Jag Vasant | LPG | Kandla Port | March 26 |
| Pyne Gas | LPG | New Mangalore | March 28 |
| MT Calista | Crude Oil | Paradip Port | Underway (from Yanbu) |
The crude oil tanker ‘MT Calista’ (Panama-flagged) is also preparing to depart from Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port. The Indian Navy will secure its passage through the Gulf of Aden. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Navy Chief Dinesh Tripathi has cancelled his scheduled visit to Australia and New Zealand to oversee operations.
The Indian government and the Iranian Embassy in India have categorically dismissed rumors that Iran is charging heavy fees for the passage of Indian ships.
No Passage Fees: The Embassy clarified that no money was charged for allowing the LPG tankers through.
Naval Strength: The Central Government has directed the Navy to keep its Kolkata-class stealth guided-missile destroyers deployed in the Gulf region to ensure the safety of Indian-flagged vessels.
Expert Analysis: Analysts suggest that while 108 crude oil tankers and hundreds of other ships remain stranded in the Gulf, the special permission granted to India is a direct result of strong bilateral diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Tehran.
