Iran lets Indian LPG tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, allowing two Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas carriers to pass in what sources described as a rare exception to an Iranian blockade that has disrupted global energy supplies.
Four sources with direct knowledge of the matter said the Indian-flagged LPG tanker Shivalik crossed the strait under Indian Navy escort. They added that the second vessel, Nanda Devi, was expected to clear the strait in the next few hours.
Since the United States and Israel launched a bombing campaign on Iran, Tehran has largely halted traffic through the strait. The channel runs along Iran’s coast and normally supplies around 20% of global oil and seaborne liquefied natural gas, according to the source text.
Iran has said it will not allow supplies destined for the United States or its allies to leave the strait. However, the report said India sought exemptions.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that he spoke with Iran’s President Ebrahim Raisi and discussed the transit of goods and energy from the Gulf.
India’s Gas Pressure And Shipping Details
The report said India is facing its worst gas crisis in decades and that the government has cut supplies to industries to protect household cooking gas availability.
Shivalik and Nanda Devi are owned by the state-run Shipping Corp of India.
Tracking data cited in the source text said Shivalik arrived in Qatari waters on February 25 and last reported its position on March 12 within the UAE’s exclusive economic zone waters, up to 24 miles off the coast, according to MarineTraffic.
Nanda Devi was last seen on Friday in Iranian waters near the entrance of the Strait of Hormuz, the source text said, also citing MarineTraffic data. It had called at Qatar’s Ras Laffan anchorage on February 27 before sailing to the UAE waters.
Separately, the report said a crude tanker was expected to arrive in India on Saturday carrying Saudi Arabian oil after sailing through the strait around March 1, citing two sources and data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence.
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The Liberia-flagged Smyrni crude oil Suezmax tanker, which can carry up to 1 million barrels, is expected to arrive at an Indian port for state refiner Hindustan Petroleum Corp, the report said.
India consumed 33.15 million metric tons of cooking gas last year, with imports making up about 60% of demand. About 90% of those imports came from the Middle East, according to the source text. It also said India reported on Thursday that 24 Indian-flagged vessels were stuck in the Gulf area beyond the narrow strait.
