New Delhi, June 23
Eleven India-bound vessels have successfully passed through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Iran reached an agreement aimed at easing tensions in West Asia, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Tuesday. The development offers relief to global energy markets and shipping operators, as the narrow waterway remains one of the world’s most critical routes for the transport of oil, gas and other essential commodities.
Speaking at a media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was closely monitoring maritime traffic in the region following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran on June 17. For India, which depends heavily on energy imports from the Gulf region, the smooth movement of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz is vital for ensuring stable supplies of crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and fertilisers.
Jaiswal said the 11 vessels that have completed the transit include three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers carrying more than 285,000 metric tonnes of crude oil each, along with a foreign-flagged LPG carrier, a foreign-flagged crude oil tanker and six bulk carriers transporting fertiliser cargo. He added that 10 Indian-flagged ships remain in the Persian Gulf region, while two more have recently arrived there.
“We hope that the remaining India-flagged vessels will also be able to cross the Hormuz soon,” Jaiswal said.The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, serves as a key maritime gateway connecting Gulf oil producers with international markets. Any disruption to shipping through the route can have immediate consequences for fuel prices, supply chains and global trade.
