5 India-flagged LPG-loaded tankers stuck at Hormuz

NEW DELHI: Govt on Tuesday said five LPG tankers with nearly 2.3 lakh tonne of cooking gas are in the west of Strait of Hormuz and another tanker will get loaded in the next few days. It said the two ships, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, will reach New Mangalore and Kandla ports this week, while clarifying that "no permission" is required for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to a question on whether vessels needed clearance from Iranian authorities to cross the strait, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the shipping ministry, said, "It is an international strait. Every country has a right of freedom of navigation through that strait. No permission is needed (to cross it). Earlier also, no permission was needed. Now also, it's not needed."

He said international regulations do not allow any levy on ships transiting the strait. However, given the current situation, movements must be assessed for safety and appropriate timing, Sinha said.

According to shipping ministry, 20 Indian-flagged ships remain in the west of Hormuz.



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