50 India-Bound Ships Cross Hormuz Amid Conflict; 9 Vessels Remain in Gulf
As of Tuesday, 50 ships—both Indian-flagged and foreign-flagged—carrying cargo destined for India have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz since the escalation of the West Asia conflict on February 28, according to vessel tracking data and government officials.
Currently, only nine Indian vessels remain in the Persian Gulf region, west of the Strait of Hormuz, with a total of 198 Indian seafarers on board. A Shipping Ministry official clarified that these ships are not stranded but are actively trading or engaged in operations within the region.
Among the ships that have crossed the strait so far, 18 are Indian-flagged while the remaining 32 are foreign-flagged. The majority of vessels are bulk carriers (19), followed by LPG carriers (14), crude oil tankers (12), two LNG carriers, and one container vessel.
Industry insiders indicated that it may take longer for shipping lines to resume sending additional vessels to pick up fresh consignments from West Asia, given the ongoing uncertainty. There have been no updates on whether ships from India are currently waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for new cargo.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint through which about one-fifth of the world's oil supply passes. The region has seen increased tensions since late February, leading to heightened vigilance among shipping operators and governments.
