Two more India-flagged LPG carriers, BW Tyr and BW Elm, began passing the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, according to a source who requested anonymity. For security concerns, the ships do not disclose their target ports via transponders, and more information cannot be released immediately, according to the individual.
The insider claimed that both ships had loaded their cargo in the Persian Gulf more than a fortnight ago and were looking for safe transit through Iran. If this final pair crosses the strait, Iran will have allowed six LPG vessels safe passage. No other information was immediately provided.
So far, four India-flagged LPG carriers have arrived in the country after being permitted by Iranian authorities to transit the Hormuz waterway, a crucial sea conduit that transports a fifth of the world’s crude oil, as well as gas and other goods. In retaliation for the US and Israel’s strikes, Iran has assaulted multiple vessels in the strait, effectively shutting down the crucial waterway for world marine trade. Since the outbreak of hostilities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian twice, urging de-escalation and discussion.
On Tuesday, he urged the critical strait to “remain open for the world” to allow the transit of essential commodities and energy. India imports roughly 60% of its cooking gas, the majority of which comes from the Persian Gulf countries. It has increased liquefied petroleum gas output by about 50% to address energy shortages caused by the West Asian war, a petroleum ministry official told reporters this week.
