India moves closer to clearing Hormuz route as ‘Green Asha’ exits, one vessel left

Another India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carrier, Green Asha, has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking continued movement of Indian energy shipments through the conflict-affected maritime corridor.

Ship-tracking data shows that Green Asha has moved past the strategic waterway and entered the eastern side of the Strait, joining other Indian vessels that have already cleared the route in recent days.

With the latest transit, the number of Indian-flagged LPG carriers that have crossed the Strait has increased further, as India works to move its stranded cargo out of the region amid ongoing tensions in West Asia.

According to available data, only one Indian vessel, Jag Vikram, now remains west of the Strait of Hormuz, awaiting transit.

Earlier, multiple Indian LPG carriers had successfully navigated the route, including Green Sanvi and others such as Shivalik, Nanda Devi, Pine Gas, Jag Vasant, BW Elm and BW Tyr, which have already reached Indian ports.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is a critical global energy chokepoint through which a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass. The ongoing conflict in the region has disrupted normal shipping activity, making transit through the route more complex and closely monitored.

Despite the tensions, Iran has indicated that “non-hostile” vessels can pass through the Strait, provided they coordinate with its authorities. This arrangement has enabled Indian vessels to continue their movement, albeit under strict monitoring and controlled navigation conditions.

India, one of the world’s largest importers of LPG, relies heavily on supplies from the Middle East. Reports indicate that around 90% of India’s LPG imports originate from the region, and imports account for roughly 60% of the country’s total demand.

The successful passage of vessels like Green Asha is significant for India’s domestic energy security, particularly at a time when the country is managing supply pressures linked to the ongoing geopolitical situation. Authorities have been prioritising the movement of essential fuel supplies, including LPG used for household consumption.

India has also been taking steps to ensure safe transit for its vessels, including coordination at diplomatic and operational levels, as well as monitoring ships navigating the high-risk zone.

The continued movement of LPG carriers through the Strait highlights ongoing efforts to maintain supply chains despite disruptions caused by the conflict, with only a limited number of vessels now awaiting clearance in the region.