2 India-flagged tankers clear Hormuz; Iran denies taking ransom

NEW DELHI: Two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, carrying around 92,600 tonne of cooking gas, crossed the war-hit Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening. The ships - Jag Vasant and Pine Gas - are likely to reach ports between Thursday and Saturday, the shipping ministry said.

With this, four Indian-flagged vessels have sailed through the conflict-hit choke point since the US-Israel-Iran war began on Feb 28. Last week, LPG tankers Shivalik and Nanda Devi docked at Mundra and Kandla ports in Gujarat.




Officials said the govt's focus is to ensure safe passage of 20 remaining Indian-flagged ships and Indian crews west of the Strait.

Earlier, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the shipping ministry, said the two ships had started moving but did not disclose the destination.

Ship tracking data showed both tankers sailed between Iran's Larak and Qeshm islands, possibly to signal identity to Iranian authorities before crossing.

Sinha said one LNG ship is chartered by Petronet Ltd, while seven LPG carriers have been hired by BPCL & HPCL. Crude tankers have been chartered by IOC, Reliance Industries and BGN International.

Besides the four Indian ships, LPG tanker Pyxis Pioneer from the US docked at an Indian port on Sunday. Arrival of Jag Vasant and Pine Gas will take total imported LNG to over 2.9 lakh tonnes.

Responding to concerns, Sinha said Indian crew onboard vessels were not facing food or water shortages.

Overall, close to 500 tanker vessels remain confined within the Persian Gulf.

Reports claimed Iran was selectively allowing ships to cross, though the Iranian embassy in India dismissed claims of payments as "unfounded".

India imports about 88% of crude oil, 50% of natural gas and 60% of LPG, much of it routed through the Strait.
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