An India-flagged vessel named Green Asha has successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz, becoming the ninth Indian tanker to do so during the current West Asia conflict. This achievement is significant given the heightened tensions and security risks affecting the crucial maritime route for oil and energy supplies. Green Asha, an LPG carrier, underscores India’s continued dependence on the strait despite the escalating dangers.
The safe passage of Green Asha follows a series of similar journeys by Indian vessels through the conflict-affected area, all under increased surveillance. The situation in the Strait of Hormuz has been volatile since Iran tightened control after US-Israeli strikes in late February. This has disrupted global fuel supplies, with data showing a substantial portion of ships passing through the strait linked to Iran.
Despite the challenges, Indian shipping activity through the strait has remained robust, with Green Asha joining at least eight other Indian vessels that had already crossed the corridor. Notable among these were LPG carriers BW TYR and BW ELM, which collectively transported around 94,000 tonnes of cargo through the region. Additionally, recent shipments included LPG deliveries by vessels like Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, as well as crude oil and refined fuel transports by ships such as MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi.
The completion of Green Asha’s transit adds to the varied Indian shipping operations in the region. For instance, oil tanker Jag Laadki carried over 80,000 tonnes of crude from the UAE to Indian ports, while Jag Prakash transported gasoline from Oman to African markets. Another LPG carrier, Green Sanvi, also recently crossed the strait with a cargo of approximately 46,650 metric tonnes.
