New Delhi, 15 April (H.S.):
Amid the ongoing US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, India's LPG tanker Jag Vikram successfully reached home soil. Carrying 20,400 metric tons of LPG, the tanker arrived at Gujarat's Kandla Port today—the first Indian vessel to traverse the strait following the two-week temporary ceasefire between the US and Iran.
The LPG tanker Jag Vikram navigated the Strait of Hormuz on April 11. Since early March, it marks India's ninth ship to exit via the strait’s western segment.
Prior to the West Asia tensions, 28 Indian vessels were positioned around the Strait of Hormuz, with 24 in the western part and four stranded in the eastern segment.
Before the two-week temporary ceasefire commenced between Iran and the US, eight Indian ships had safely exited the strait’s western portion, while two more cleared the eastern side. Now, LPG tanker Jag Vikram has also transited the western part and reached India safely. However, several Indian vessels remain stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, as do numerous foreign ships in the Persian Gulf, awaiting resumption of normal passage.
Notably, India relies heavily on imports for its petroleum needs.
The country imports approximately 88 percent of its crude oil requirements from international markets. Similarly, about 50 percent of natural gas and 60 percent of LPG are imported. Most supplies of crude oil and gas from Gulf countries transit via the Strait of Hormuz; however, since the West Asia conflict erupted, this route has nearly ground to a halt, severely disrupting India's LPG supply.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
