MT Sarv Shakti, transporting 46,313 MT of LPG, successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz and is set to reach Visakhapatnam by May 13 with the Indian cooking gas cargo, as confirmed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The vessel, flying the Marshall Islands flag, has 20 crew members, predominantly Indian nationals, on board. Tracking data revealed that the ship, loaded with over 45,000 tonnes of LPG, had traversed the Gulf of Oman after skirting Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands.
Sarv Shakti, categorized as a very large gas carrier, has a history of operating between the Persian Gulf and Indian ports. Notably, the ship adhered to safety protocols by disclosing its Indian destination and crew particulars, a practice widely embraced by vessels navigating the region amidst the Iran-related conflict. This voyage holds significance as it marks the initial documented transit by an India-linked tanker since the commencement of a US-led blockade targeting Iran-associated vessels several weeks ago.
The imposed restrictions had essentially halted tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, causing a severe disruption in one of the world’s crucial energy passageways. Sarv Shakti stands out as one of the largest carriers to traverse the route post a brief and tumultuous reopening of the strait last month, which was swiftly followed by renewed limitations. The Ministry also assured the safety of all Indian seafarers in the Middle East and reported no incidents involving Indian-flagged ships in the preceding 24 hours.
