By Micah Jonah, March 14, 2026
Two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) bound for India have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz, India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed on Saturday.
“They crossed safely early morning and are now en route to India,” said Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary at the ministry.
The passage comes amid a near-total halt of traffic through the strait, which normally carries about 20% of the world’s seaborne oil and LNG, following the US and Israel’s recent attacks on Iran. The blockade has worsened cooking gas shortages in India, a country with longstanding energy ties to Iran.
Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, said the transit was a rare exemption to the blockade, which generally bars any shipments for the US and its allies. India had appealed for special clearance to secure its energy supply.
In response to the crisis, the Indian government has directed refiners to ramp up LPG production, restricted industrial sales, and advised households to avoid panic buying while promoting the use of piped natural gas. Consumers with piped gas connections are also barred from holding or refilling LPG cylinders, according to a statement from India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
The development comes as India navigates a critical energy crunch triggered by the Iran conflict, highlighting the fragility of global oil and gas supply chains.
