NEW DELHI / STRAIT OF HORMUZ — Amidst the ongoing maritime blockade in West Asia, India has successfully navigated another critical energy shipment through the world’s most volatile chokepoint. The India-flagged LPG carrier Green Asha safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, April 5, 2026, marking the ninth such successful transit since the regional conflict escalated in late February.
The Director General of Shipping and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas confirmed that the vessel, carrying 15,400 metric tonnes of LPG, is now in the Gulf of Oman and heading toward the Indian coast.
- The Transit: Navigating the “Virtual Shutdown”
Since the U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, the Strait of Hormuz has been virtually closed to most international commercial traffic. India, which historically imports nearly 90% of its LPG through this route, has had to coordinate high-stakes “special passages” with Iranian authorities and the Indian Navy.
Route Details: Green Asha sailed close to the Iranian coast, transiting between the strategic islands of Larak, Hormuz, and Qeshm.
Current Status of Fleet: With Green Asha’s exit, only one Indian LPG vessel, the Jag Vikram (carrying 20,000 tonnes), remains west of the strait, awaiting clearance and Indian Navy escort.
Arrivals: The Green Sanvi, which crossed the strait on April 4 with 46,655 tonnes of LPG, is expected to dock at Dahej, Gujarat, on April 7.
- Strategic Operations at Indian Ports
To ensure the steady flow of cooking gas across the country, the Ministry has authorized unconventional offloading and diversions:
Mumbai (STS Operations): The carrier BW TYR is currently at Mumbai’s outer port limits, discharging its cargo via ship-to-ship (STS) transfer to smaller vessels to speed up distribution.
Chennai Diversion: The BW ELM was diverted to Ennore, Chennai, on April 4 to address local supply shortages in Southern India.
Gujarat Deliveries: Last week, Jag Vasant delivered 47,612 tonnes to Kandla, while Pine Gas offloaded 45,000 tonnes at New Mangalore.
- Seafarer Safety and Evacuations
The government remains on high alert regarding the 20,000 Indian seafarers currently in the wider Gulf region.
The Evacuation Corridor: As of April 5, 1,479 seafarers have been repatriated. This includes a major civilian evacuation of 345 Indian fishermen who arrived in Chennai on Saturday via a complex overland route through Armenia, bypassing the contested Persian Gulf airspace.
Current Presence: 16 Indian vessels remain in the Persian Gulf (west of the strait), with 433 seafarers onboard Indian-flagged ships currently in high-risk zones.
India’s Energy Transit Dashboard (April 2026)
| Vessel Name | Cargo (Metric Tonnes) | Status / Destination |
| Green Asha | 15,400 | Transited April 5; En route to India. |
| Green Sanvi | 46,655 | Arriving Dahej, Gujarat (April 7). |
| Jag Vikram | 20,000 | Stranded; Awaiting Navy instructions. |
| BW TYR | ~47,000 | Discharging at Mumbai (STS). |
| Jag Vasant | 47,612 | Delivered to Kandla, Gujarat. |
A Policy of “Safe and Free Navigation”
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has reiterated its call for the prioritization of safe passage through the Hormuz. While Iran has offered a “simple solution” involving diplomatic politeness, India continues to utilize its Navy warships as a precautionary escort for merchant vessels, ensuring that the domestic LPG supply—essential for millions of households—is not completely severed by the blockade