Sarv Shakti Successfully Navigates Strait of Hormuz Amid US Blockade
An India-linked liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker has successfully transited the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz, marking a rare and significant development amid US blockade. The Marshall Islands-flagged vessel Sarv Shakti, carrying approximately 45,000 tons of LPG, a key cooking fuel, was tracked moving into the Gulf of Oman after passing Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands on Saturday, according to ship-tracking data.
The very large gas carrier has previously operated between the Persian Gulf and Indian ports and is currently broadcasting its destination as India. The vessel is also reported to have an Indian crew, a precautionary measure increasingly adopted by ships navigating the region since the onset of the Iran conflict. According to a shipping document reviewed by Bloomberg, state-run Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is listed as the buyer of the cargo.
Crisis-Driven Energy Movements Amid Hormuz Disruption
India, the world’s third-largest oil importer and the second-largest consumer of LPG, has been facing supply disruptions caused by the conflict in the West Asia. In response, New Delhi has prioritised the safe passage of LPG shipments. Since the United States and Israel initiated strikes on Iran at the end of February, the Indian government has taken multiple steps to secure fuel supplies. These include directing ports to prioritise LPG carriers for berthing and discharge, as well as ramping up domestic production.
Domestic Adjustments and Vessel Tracking Complexities
To mitigate the crisis, India has significantly increased its domestic LPG production by 60 per cent reaching 54,000 tons. At the same time, consumption has declined by 10,000 tons to 80,000 tons per day, according to Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Sarv Shakti itself entered the Persian Gulf in early February and received its cargo through a ship-to-ship transfer off the coast of Dubai. However, Bloomberg News reported that it could not immediately determine the exact origin of the LPG shipment. Such transfers are often used in complex supply chains, particularly during geopolitical disruptions.
The successful passage of Sarv Shakti highlights both the risks and strategic urgency underpinning India’s efforts to secure energy supplies amid a volatile regional environment.
Original Article: India’s ‘Sarv Shakti’ successfully navigates in Strait of Hormuz — Organiser