30 India-Bound Ships Navigate Strait of Hormuz; 26 Await Passage
NEW DELHI: As many as 30 ships destined for India have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, while 26 vessels remain in the Persian Gulf awaiting their turn, according to sources in the shipping ministry.
Of the ships that have transited the strait, half carried liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Eight had bulk cargo and seven were crude oil tankers. Nineteen of these crossings occurred between March 1 and June 17, before the Iran-US interim agreement facilitated an additional 11 safe transits.
Among the 30 vessels that have reached or are heading to Indian ports, 17 are foreign-flagged, including a maximum of five flying the Marshall Islands flag. The remaining 26 ships of Indian interest—both Indian-flagged and India-bound foreign-flagged—are still west of the strait: three carrying energy, ten carrying fertilisers, and 13 with other cargo.
The Strait of Hormuz, an international waterway, handles about a fifth of the world's energy supply. For India, it is a vital route as key suppliers of LNG and LPG are located in Gulf countries. The safe passage of these vessels is critical for maintaining India's energy security.
