Amidst the turmoil in West Asia, the seventh Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker, Green Sanvi, crossed east of the Strait of Hormuz, the ship-tracking data recorded. It is estimated that the tanker is expected to have around 44,000 tons of LPG, which accounts for roughly equivalent to half a day’s LPG consumption in India but before the conflict unfolded. Meanwhile, experts say that two more India-flagged LPG tankers, namely Green Asha and Jag Vikram, are expected to cross the Strait and move towards India.
As the Green Sanvi tanker transits, it makes the total of 17 India-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf, located in the east of the Strait of Hormuz, including three more LPG tankers, four crude oil tankers, one liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, one chemical products tanker, three container ships, two bulk carriers, and two vessels undergoing routine maintenance.
A large number of vessels have been stranded in the Persian Gulf ever since the war occurred in West Asia, with only a few being able to safely pass the Strait, and that only after the approval of Iran. As other vehicles have been able to transit the Strait, Green Sanvi also transits through Iranian waters between Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands, the ship tracking data shows.
India has stepped up diplomatic engagement with Iran to secure the safe passage of its vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, where Tehran has effectively curtailed maritime traffic amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Iran last week indicated that non-hostile vessels from countries not aligned with the United States, Israel, and their allies would be allowed to transit the strait, provided they coordinate with Iranian authorities.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the vital waterway remains open to nations that have maintained diplomatic ties with Tehran and are regarded as friendly. According to Iranian state television, ships from China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan have been permitted to pass through the strategically significant chokepoint.
While transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Green Sanvi was broadcasting its identification as an Indian vessel loaded with Indian crew on board, adhering to an increasingly common practice among ships coordinating passage with Iranian authorities.
The strait remains one of the world’s most critical energy checkpoints, which marks the strategic significance of coordinated transit protocols.
