Indian LPG tanker pulls off rare Hormuz crossing amid US blockade, boosting supply hopes

The Marshall Islands-flagged Sarv Shakti, loaded with around 45,000 tons of LPG, was seen moving into the Gulf of Oman after sailing past Iran’s Larak Island and Qeshm Island, according to ship-tracking data.

First major India-linked crossing since blockade

The vessel’s journey marks the first publicly observed passage by an India-linked tanker since the US crackdown on Iran-linked shipping sharply reduced traffic through Hormuz weeks ago.

It is also among the largest gas carriers to complete the outbound crossing since the strait briefly reopened and then shut again during a chaotic weekend last month.

According to a shipping document cited by Bloomberg, state-run Indian Oil Corporation was listed as the buyer of the cargo.

The tanker reportedly signaled it was headed for India and carrying Indian crew — a precaution many ships have adopted since hostilities around Iran escalated.

India’s LPG crisis

India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and second-largest LPG consumer, has been racing to plug a major supply gap left by disruptions from Middle East producers.

The shortage has reportedly triggered panic buying, long queues and reduced restaurant menus in parts of the country.

To cope, New Delhi has:

• Prioritized LPG tankers at Indian ports
• Increased domestic LPG production by 60%
• Pursued diplomatic negotiations with Tehran for safe passage
• Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said domestic production rose to 54,000 tons daily, while consumption fell to 80,000 tons a day.

Dangerous waters

A full transit through Hormuz usually takes 10 to 14 hours, but vessels in the area face electronic interference, spoofed signals and security threats.

Some ships have reportedly switched off transponders during crossings to avoid detection, highlighting the risks still surrounding one of the world’s most vital energy chokepoints.