Strait of Hormuz: Iran Allows India Flagged Tankers
- Strait of Hormuz passage allowed after Jaishankar Araghchi talks
- Strait of Hormuz transit continues for Indian vessels amid tensions
Hyderabad: Strait of Hormuz transit for India flagged tankers has continued after Iran allowed them to pass through the strategic waterway. The development followed talks between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The discussions focused on keeping the critical sea route open for crude oil and natural gas transport.
Sources familiar with the developments said Indian tankers Pushpak and Parimal have been passing safely through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, ships from the United States, Europe and Israel continue to face restrictions in the important maritime corridor. The safe passage came even as tensions remain high in the West Asia region.
The issue of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz figured prominently during a conversation between Jaishankar and Araghchi late on Tuesday, March 10. The two leaders discussed the evolving situation in West Asia. Maritime movement through the strait was a key part of their talks. This was their third conversation since the outbreak of the Iran war.
In a related development, a Liberian flagged tanker carrying Saudi Arabian crude oil and captained by an Indian also crossed the Strait of Hormuz safely. The vessel later berthed at the Mumbai port. The tanker became the first India bound vessel to pass through the waterway after maritime traffic slowed following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.
The tanker Shenlong Suezmax had loaded crude oil from the Saudi port of Ras Tanura on March 1. It departed two days later. Maritime tracking data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence and TankerTrackers showed the vessel inside the Strait of Hormuz on March 8 before it reached Indian waters.
The successful transit of the tanker has eased some concerns in India over possible disruptions to energy supplies. India depends heavily on the Strait of Hormuz because more than half of its crude oil and natural gas imports pass through the narrow maritime corridor.
However, several Indian vessels are still operating near the sensitive waterway. According to the Directorate General of Shipping, at least 28 India flagged ships have been present in or around the Strait of Hormuz since hostilities began in the region.
Officials said eight India flagged ships that were east of the Strait of Hormuz when the conflict began have moved to safer waters. A situation report from the Directorate General of Shipping said seven vessels Desh Mahima, Desh Abhiman, Swarna Kamal, Vishva Prerna, Jag Viraat, Jag Lokesh and LNGC Aseem have moved out and reached the Arabian Sea. Another vessel Jag Lakshya has sailed onward toward Angola.
Meanwhile, tensions in the region remain high. On March 11, a Thai flagged cargo vessel was reportedly attacked near the Strait of Hormuz soon after leaving the United Arab Emirates. According to the Royal Thai Navy, the vessel Mayuree Naree departed from Khalifa Port in the UAE and was heading to Kandla Port in Gujarat when the attack occurred during transit through the strait.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely as security concerns remain in one of the world’s most critical maritime energy routes.
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