Eighth India-Flagged LPG Carrier Crosses Strait Of Hormuz Amid Ongoing Gulf Tensions

The India-flagged LPG tanker Green Asha crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 5, 2026, carrying about 15,400 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas.

It is the eighth Indian LPG carrier to move out of the Strait since tensions began after the February 28 attacks involving the United States and Israel.

The route has been under strict control by Iran since the conflict started, affecting global oil and gas movement.

Before the situation escalated, India depended on this route for nearly 90% of its LPG imports, making each successful transit important for supplies.

According to vessel tracking data, Green Asha left Al Rams port in the United Arab Emirates on March 30 and sailed at around 12.8 knots. It moved close to the Iranian coast and passed between Larak, Hormuz and Qeshm islands during the transit.

The tanker is owned by MOL India Private Limited and was chartered by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited. It was originally planned to head to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai.

Earlier, another LPG carrier, Green Sanvi, carrying about 46,650 tonnes of cargo with 25 crew members, had also crossed the Strait. It is expected to reach Dahej in Gujarat on April 7.

One more tanker, Jag Vikram, carrying around 20,000 tonnes of LPG, is still waiting in the Gulf region for safe passage. Along with it, three foreign-flagged vessels carrying a total of 87,000 tonnes of LPG are also waiting to cross.

The government had earlier identified 22 India-bound vessels in the Persian Gulf region, of which 20 were considered important for India’s energy needs.

As of now, 17 India-flagged vessels with around 460 Indian seafarers are still in the western Persian Gulf.

Officials said the Directorate General of Shipping is working with ship owners, recruitment agencies and Indian missions to monitor the situation. The government added that there has been no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels in the last 24 hours.

In a separate development, 345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran have returned home with help from the Indian Embassy in Tehran, travelling via Armenia before flying to Chennai.

Shipping data also shows that several vessels have already delivered LPG to India in recent days. Jag Vasant reached Kandla with over 47,000 tonnes, while Pine Gas delivered about 45,000 tonnes at New Mangalore.

LPG carrier BW TYR is currently in Mumbai for cargo discharge through ship-to-ship operations, and BW ELM was diverted to Ennore in Chennai.

After Green Asha crossed the Strait, only one Indian LPG vessel, Jag Vikram, remains in the region awaiting further instructions from the Indian Navy.

According to official data, 16 Indian vessels are currently in the Persian Gulf, four in the Gulf of Oman, one in the Gulf of Aden and two in the Red Sea.

Around 20,000 Indian seafarers are present across the Gulf region, including 528 on Indian-flagged ships. So far, 1,479 seafarers have been evacuated by different shipping companies.

The Strait of Hormuz continues to remain a key route for global energy trade, even as movements are being closely monitored during the ongoing conflict.

References: thehindu, hindustantimes