New Delhi [India], March 24 (ANI): Two Indian LPG carriers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, have successfully transited the strategic Strait of Hormuz, marking a significant development in energy transport amid ongoing regional tensions.
The vessels, carrying a combined cargo of approximately 92,612.59 metric tons of LPG, were seen in visuals as the Pine Gas crossed the critical maritime chokepoint. The ships have 33 and 27 Indian seafarers onboard, respectively, managing the transit through the area.
Following their successful passage, the vessels are now en route to India to bolster domestic energy supplies and are expected to reach Indian ports between March 26 and 28.
The Union government on Monday confirmed that the two Indian-flagged LPG tankers successfully navigated the conflict-prone Strait of Hormuz and are anticipated to arrive in India within the next 48 hours.
The vessels, identified as Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, conducted their transit in close proximity to one another after departing the Persian Gulf on Monday morning and traversing the strategic maritime route.
According to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, the ships are transporting approximately 92,000 metric tons of LPG.
The tankers were part of a group of 22 Indian-flagged vessels that had been stranded in the Persian Gulf following the escalation of the West Asia conflict, which had nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz—the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that connects oil- and gas-producing Gulf countries to global markets.
This successful transit follows the earlier arrival of MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, which together carried approximately 92,712 metric tons of LPG—roughly equivalent to a day’s cooking gas consumption in India—and have already reached Indian shores safely.
Emphasizing the government’s commitment to maritime security, Sinha said, “Ultimately, we want to secure safe passage of all our vessels that are stranded in the region.”
He added that until all remaining ships are safely evacuated, the government remains focused on the well-being of personnel onboard. “Till safe passage happens, the well-being and safety of our seafarers is our prime focus,” Sinha said.
The safe transit of these carriers comes amid heightened regional tensions, following earlier statements from Iran asserting it would not allow “enemy countries’ ships” to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has sufficient crude oil reserves and robust arrangements for continuous supply despite the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Modi highlighted the expansion of strategic petroleum reserves and increased refining capacity as global trade through the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions.
“In the last 11 years, strategic petroleum reserves have been developed to more than 5.3 million metric tons, and work is underway to expand them to over 6.5 million metric tons. Additionally, India’s refining capacity has also been significantly increased in the last decade. I want to assure the House and the country that India has adequate crude oil storage and arrangements for continuous supply,” the prime minister said.
“The Strait of Hormuz is one of the largest routes for global trade. A significant amount of transport related to crude oil, gas, and fertilizers takes place through this region. Our endeavor is to ensure that oil and gas supplies reach India from wherever possible. The country is witnessing the results of such efforts. In the past few days, ships carrying crude oil and LPG from several countries have arrived in India. Our efforts in this direction will continue in the coming days as well,” he added. (ANI)
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