India has maintained steady naval traffic through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing tensions in the region, with at least eight India-linked ships passing through the critical checkpoint since February 28 – the day US-Israeli strikes on Iran sparked an all-out war.
The ships include Shivalik, Nanda Devi, Jag Laadki, Pine Gas, Jag Vasant, BW Tyr, BW Elm and Green Sanvi, helping in India’s energy security and keeping supplies coming for the common man.
The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the most important oil transit corridors in the world, through which a 20 percent share of global crude oil shipments passes.
India is among the countries with the largest number of ships passing through the strait, reflecting its dependence on energy imports from the Gulf region.
Iran, amid the war, has included India among the friendly countries allowing its ships to pass through the vital strait while keeping others grounded with threats of a drone missile attack.
Iran says to India: You are in safe hands
In a related development, on April 2, Iran reassured India about the safety of its interests in Hormuz amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region, issuing a message on social media.
Read also: ‘India just lost sailors’: Government amid Strait of Hormuz blockade and Iran-US war
In a post on X, Iran’s official handle in India said: “Our Indian friends are in safe hands, no need to worry.” The Iranian embassy in Saudi Arabia published a similar message, stressing that “only Iran and Oman will decide the future of the Strait of Hormuz,” and added: “You are in safe hands, do not worry.”
The Indian-flagged large gas tanker Green Sanvi is the latest ship to safely cross the Strait of Hormuz on Friday evening, carrying about 46,650 metric tons of LPG, official sources said.
Earlier, on March 28, a cargo of 47,000 metric tons of LPG arrived at DPA’s Kandla Vadinar terminal in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The MT Jag Vasant is now scheduled to transfer its cargo to another vessel at anchorage through a ship-to-ship (STS) operation.
Meanwhile, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mukesh Mangal, said that all Indian ships and their crews in the Persian Gulf are being closely monitored, adding that all sailors in the region are safe.
He said 18 Indian ships carrying around 485 seafarers are currently in the region, while over 964 seafarers have been repatriated so far. Mangal added that ports across India continue to operate normally.
