A day before Israel and the United States attacked Iran on February 28, the Indian-flagged LPG tanker Pine Gas loaded cargo at the UAE’s Ruwais port, expecting to reach India within a week.
Instead, the journey stretched to nearly three weeks, as Iran began selectively allowing vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
Missiles And Drones Overhead
Chief Officer Sohan Lal said the ship’s 27 Indian crew witnessed missiles and drones flying overhead every day while waiting to move.
In a video seen by Reuters, at least five projectiles can be seen streaking across the night sky above the vessel.
Delayed Clearance, Unusual Route
Lal said Indian authorities had asked the crew to remain on standby to sail around March 11. However, with the conflict intensifying, clearance came only on March 23, and not via the usual shipping lanes.
Instead, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) directed the tanker through a narrow channel north of Larak Island, off Iran’s coast.
Lal said Indian authorities and the vessel’s owner, Mumbai-based Seven Islands Shipping, agreed to proceed only after securing unanimous consent from the crew.
“They needed a yes or a no from all crew,” he said. “Everyone onboard agreed.”
He added that the Larak route, not typically used for commercial shipping, was recommended by the IRGC as the regular Hormuz passage was mined.
Naval Escort Through High-Risk Waters
The Indian Navy guided the vessel during the transit. After crossing the strait, four Indian warships escorted the tanker for nearly 20 hours from the Gulf of Oman to the Arabian Sea.
Lal said no fee was paid for the passage and the IRGC did not board the vessel at any point.
The Indian Navy confirmed it was escorting Indian-flagged ships after they crossed the strait. The Ministry of External Affairs said the Navy has maintained a presence in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea for years to secure sea lanes for Indian and other vessels.
LPG Supply Concerns
India relies heavily on seaborne imports of liquefied petroleum gas, with hundreds of millions of households dependent on it for cooking.
The Pine Gas, carrying 45,000 metric tons of LPG, was initially scheduled to unload at Mangalore on the west coast. However, authorities later directed it to discharge equal quantities at Visakhapatnam and Haldia on the east coast.
Selective Passage, Ships Still Stuck
Iran has said it is allowing passage to “friendly nations” including China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan.
While six Indian ships have exited the Strait of Hormuz, 18 Indian-flagged vessels carrying around 485 Indian seafarers remain in the Persian Gulf.
