5 Indian LPG Vessels Stranded in the Strait of Hormuz

New Delhi: Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, five LPG vessels have anchored near the Hormuz Strait. These vessels are anchored to the southwest of the strait, north of Dubai and Ras Al Khaimah.

It is reported that these ships are carrying about 170,000 tons of cooking gas. The disruption of the vessels' travel is due to the increased danger in the strait as the war has intensified. The central government is holding diplomatic talks with Iran to safely evacuate these Indian-flagged ships.

Sources in the Ministry of Shipping indicate that the ships are planning to depart in groups for security reasons. In recent days, vessels like Jag Vasant and Pine Gas reached India via a special route along the Iranian coast.

Efforts are underway to bring the remaining five ships out in a similar manner. Currently, 90 percent of India's LPG imports are carried out through this route. Any delays in the ship route could affect the country's cooking gas stock. Iran has banned ships from countries such as the US and Israel from passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

However, the Iranian Foreign Ministry has announced that ships from friendly countries, including India, are allowed to pass through with certain conditions. The Union Petroleum Ministry has clarified that the country currently has sufficient fuel reserves and there is no specific reason to panic.

To monitor the situation, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Shipping have jointly opened a control room. Indian Navy ships have intensified surveillance in the area.