India has safely navigated two liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers carrying approximately 94,000 metric tons of cooking gas through the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian government announced on Sunday, marking a critical development amid heightened regional tensions.
According to the Ministry of Petroleum, the vessels, BW Tear and BW Elm, are expected to dock in Mumbai on March 31 and New Mangalore on April 1, respectively. The successful transit reinforces stability in domestic energy supplies, which have been challenged by disruptions in the vital Gulf shipping lanes.
The Strait of Hormuz has faced near-total shipping slowdowns due to ongoing U.S.-Israeli military actions targeting Iran. While Iran has allowed passage of “non-hostile” vessels under coordination with its authorities, risks for international shipping remain elevated.
Data from the London Stock Exchange Gas Group (LSEG) indicate that four LNG carriers have already traversed the strait safely, with three more vessels awaiting transit in the western segment. Currently, 18 ships flying the Indian flag, carrying 485 Indian crew members, are in the region.
India is the world’s second-largest LNG importer, with consumption reaching 33.15 million tons last year. About 60% of domestic demand relies on imports, 90% of which come from the Middle East, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to disruptions in Gulf supply chains.
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