Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia, Iran has allowed Indian-flagged vessels to pass safely through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz, offering partial relief to India’s energy supply concerns.
Iran’s restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz, imposed amid tensions involving the United States and Israel, have disrupted global oil supply chains and raised concerns over crude oil and LPG availability in multiple countries. In India, long queues for LPG cylinders have been reported, reflecting supply pressures.
Despite the heightened tensions, Iran has granted safe passage to several Indian-flagged vessels. Recently, another Indian tanker successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, raising expectations of some easing in India’s energy supply situation.
The tanker ‘Green Sanvi’ is carrying approximately 44,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to India. It is the seventh Indian vessel to safely cross the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of the conflict in West Asia. Earlier, six LPG tankers had reached India, providing partial relief to domestic gas supply.
Experts state that the arrival of ‘Green Sanvi’ could improve LPG availability in the domestic market, particularly at a time when an imbalance between demand and supply has been observed.
According to reports, the vessel passed through a designated safe corridor within Iran’s maritime zone after exiting the Persian Gulf. This arrangement is considered part of Iran’s controlled and selective restrictions, under which limited permissions are being granted to vessels from certain countries.
The development comes at a time when tensions between Iran and the United States are at a peak, alongside ongoing military confrontations involving Israel.
While the successful passage of ‘Green Sanvi’ is seen as a positive development, several Indian vessels remain stranded in the Hormuz region. Approximately 17 Indian tankers are reportedly stationed in the western part of the Strait, awaiting clearance from Iran. Among them are two LPG-laden vessels, ‘Green Asha’ and ‘Jag Vikram’. They are expected to receive permission to proceed to India, which could further improve the country’s gas supply situation.
