Arabic version: عبور ناقلتين هنديتين مضيق هرمز في ظل نقص الغاز
According to Al Jazeera,
Two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, according to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The vessels are on their way to ports in western India, marking a significant development as the region faces disruptions due to ongoing conflict in Iran.
The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial maritime route, responsible for about one-fifth of global oil supplies. Tehran has largely halted traffic through this key passage since the United States and Israel initiated military actions against Iran late last month. The war has led to a critical shortage of cooking gas in India, a nation with deep-rooted ties to Iran.
Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, confirmed that some Indian vessels were granted passage through the strait, which is a rare exception to the blockade affecting global energy supplies. However, Fathali did not disclose the exact number of vessels allowed safe passage.
In response to the LPG shortage, the Indian government has invoked emergency powers, directing refiners to maximize production and limiting sales to industrial users. Additionally, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has amended supply orders to restrict consumers with piped natural gas connections from obtaining or refilling domestic LPG cylinders.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently discussed the transit of goods and energy with Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian, as India seeks exemptions for its energy needs. The situation remains critical as the country urges LPG users to refrain from panic buying and consider alternatives like piped natural gas.
