New delhi: The Indian LPG tanker has successfully sailed out of Hormuz. Two Indian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers have made a successful passage through the Strait of Hormuz, amidst rising tensions and warnings for maritime traffic in the region.
According to Thai News Agency, the Indian government has confirmed the safe navigation of two LPG tankers, the BW Tyr and the BW Elm, through the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. These ships were loaded with a combined total of approximately 94,000 metric tons of LPG, composed of propane and butane, which is sufficient to supply Indian households for nearly three days. The BW Tyr and BW Elm are scheduled to dock at Indian ports on March 31st and April 1st, respectively.
India is not alone in navigating these tense waters; countries such as China, Russia, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iraq, Bangladesh, and Thailand are also currently permitted passage through the Strait of Hormuz. In contrast, nations like France, Italy, and Turkey are seeking negotiations with Iran to secure safe passage for their vessels. Ships passing through the Strait must provide detailed information to an intermediary of the IRGC, including ship ownership, cargo specifics, destination, and crew lists. They are also required to navigate through Iran's sovereign waters near Larak Island, deviating from the usual international shipping routes. It has been reported that Iran is imposing transit fees up to US$2 million per vessel, payable in Chinese yuan. However, Thailand has indicated that it is exempt from these charges.
In a related development, the European Union's maritime security agency has issued a cautionary advisory for all ships to avoid the waters of Yemen's Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. This warning is due to a heightened risk of attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. Ships are advised to steer closer to the African coastline to minimize the threat of assault. The EU has assessed that the Houthi rebels retain significant military capabilities.
This advisory follows recent missile attacks launched by the Houthi group against Israel, signaling their continued support for Iran amid escalating regional tensions and their threats to target commercial vessels traversing the Red Sea.