Two Indian LPG vessels cross Strait of Hormuz safely amid regional tensions

Two Indian-flagged vessels carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Gulf countries have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz , despite heightened tensions and ongoing conflict in the region, a senior government official said on Saturday.

The LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi successfully navigated the crucial maritime route early on Saturday morning and are now heading towards India. The vessels are bound for Mundra Port and Kandla Port in Gujarat, where they are expected to dock around March 16 or 17 .

According to Rajesh Kumar Sinha , the two ships are carrying a combined cargo of about 92,700 tonnes of LPG , which is a key fuel used for domestic cooking and other purposes across India. The safe passage of the vessels comes as a relief amid concerns over disruptions to energy shipments due to the conflict in the Middle East.

The two carriers were among 24 ships that had been stranded on the western side of the strait after hostilities broke out in the region, raising apprehensions about the safety of maritime traffic along one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered a critical global shipping route through which a significant share of the world’s oil and gas supplies passes. Any disruption in this narrow waterway can have far-reaching implications for global energy markets as well as fuel supplies to major importing countries like India.

Officials said the successful crossing of the two vessels indicates that maritime movement through the strategic passage is gradually stabilising, even as authorities continue to closely monitor the evolving security situation in the region.