Two India-flagged LPG carriers, BW Tyr and BW Elm, have begun transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a vital sea route through which a fifth of the world's crude oil passes. The ships, which loaded their cargo in the Persian Gulf over two weeks ago, are seeking safe passage through the strait.
This latest development brings the total number of LPG carriers cleared by Iranian authorities to six. Four India-flagged carriers have already reached their destination after being cleared to transit the Hormuz waterway.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a critical point of contention in the ongoing Iran-US conflict, with Iran attacking several vessels in retaliation for US and Israeli strikes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for de-escalation and dialogue, urging the strait to remain open for the passage of essential commodities and energy.
India imports nearly 60% of its cooking gas from the Persian Gulf countries and has increased its production of liquefied petroleum gas by nearly 50% to mitigate energy shortages.
