India-Linked LPG Supertanker ‘Sarv Shakti’ Attempts to Cross Strait of Hormuz
The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel Sarv Shakti, carrying 45,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), has departed from the Ghantoot Port in the UAE and is attempting to exit the Strait of Hormuz. This development comes as a significant boost to India’s energy security.
According to maritime trackers, the very large gas carrier (VLGC) has previously travelled between Indian ports and the Persian Gulf, broadcasting that it carries Indian crew members, as reported by Bloomberg. The vessel’s cargo belongs to the state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
Previous Attempts and Challenges
The Sarv Shakti is not the first India-linked ship to attempt to cross the Strait of Hormuz. Two Indian-flagged vessels, the oil tanker Sanmar Herald and the bulk carrier Jag Arnav, received gunfire from IRGC gunboats in April, forcing them to turn back. AIS data still shows these vessels stuck in the Persian Gulf.
US Navy Blockade and Tensions
The Strait of Hormuz has been a focal point of tensions between the US and Iran since the enforcement of the US Navy blockade. The safe passage of the Sarv Shakti could provide a major boost to India’s energy security, despite New Delhi diversifying its crude and LPG imports.
Indian Oil Corporation’s Involvement
The IOC is involved in the transportation of LPG through the Strait of Hormuz. The state-owned corporation has been working to increase domestic production and reduce reliance on imported fuels. The successful transit of the Sarv Shakti would be a significant step towards achieving this goal.
Maritime Trackers’ Observations
Maritime trackers have observed that the Sarv Shakti has already crossed the embattled strait, but THE WEEK could not yet confirm this due to the possibility of electronic interference in the region. The full transit of the vessel through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to take around 10-14 hours.
Conclusion
The safe passage of the Sarv Shakti would be a significant development for India’s energy security, despite ongoing tensions in the US-Iran ceasefire. As the situation continues to unfold, THE WEEK will provide updates and analysis on this critical issue.
Original Article: Did India-linked LPG supertanker ‘Sarv Shakti’ cross Strait of Hormuz? What we know so far- The Week — Theweek