Two Indian LPG carriers crossed one of the world’s most sensitive oceanic routes recently and are continuing their journey through the Middle East amidst an increase in tension in that part of the world.
The LPG vessels were transporting large shipments of cooking gas back to India and were able to navigate the strategically important Strait of Hormuz even with increasing concerns about possible interruptions of the supply of global energy.
According to officials, the two ships are now en route to Indian ports, and they expect both vessels to arrive in India within two days.
This news comes at a time when the ongoing conflict in the West Asian region has raised concerns about the safety of oil and gas deliveries being made in the narrow shipping lane.
Tankers Carry A Day’s LPG Supply
The two vessels, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, set sail from the Persian Gulf on Monday morning and made their way through the Strait of Hormuz soon thereafter.
Tracking data indicates that both vessels travelled closely as they traversed this highly tense region.
Together, these two vessels will deliver a total of approximately 92,612 metric tonnes of liquefied propane, or roughly one day’s worth of cooking gas for India.
According to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the movement of these ships through the strait will contribute to sustaining the propulsion fuel supply chain of India at a time of great uncertainty in terms of energy worldwide.
Both tankers are projected to arrive at Indian ports between 26 March 2011 and 28 March 2011.
Indian Crews Onboard
Several vessels carry many Indian mariners who are still undertaking their normal business even through the dangerous environment of the surrounding area.
Confirmed by authorities, Pine Gas has a complement of thirty-three Indian crew members; Jag Vasant has twenty-seven crew members.
Authorities monitoring commercial activities in the Gulf region of the world have found some measure of comfort with these vessels moving securely through the strait.
Shipping officials have continually monitored the activities of Indian vessels due to the ongoing conflict in West Asia, which threatens important international shipping routes.
A Strategic Route Under Pressure
The Hormuz Strait is still a crucial maritime passageway for energy around the globe. Much of the world’s oil and LNG (liquefied natural gas) exports are sent through this 21-mile-wide corridor that links producers in the Gulf to global markets.
The current tensions between Iran and others in the region have heightened fears that the corridor will be closed for a period of time or otherwise impeded. This would have significant implications for international energy markets, particularly for those nations that have high import demands for petroleum and natural gas, such as India.
A Careful Navigation Strategy
According to ship tracking information, both Indian tankers travelled through that area of sea located between Larak and Qeshm Islands, Iran.
Maritime experts have stated that vessels will sometimes follow this course so that their identity and flag will be readily visible to the Iranian authorities prior to transiting through the strait.
This strategy helps to alleviate the possibility of a misunderstanding or unintentional confrontation in an extremely high-traffic area that is monitored very closely by authorities.
Dozens Of Indian Ships Still In The Region
The tankers which belonged to the remaining fleet of Indian-flagged vessels that were working in the Gulf area.
After tensions escalated over the West Asia conflict, around 22 Indian-flagged vessels were left stranded along with the other Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf due to the increased uncertainty created by the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The relevant authorities have been in regular communication with shipping companies and international maritime agencies to facilitate safe transit for these vessels.
Energy Security Remains A Major Concern
A substantial portion of India’s oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) is imported from nations in the Middle East. As a result, maintaining safe shipping lanes is crucial to India’s energy security.
Even minor interruptions in shipping can lead to fluctuating fuel prices domestically and affect supply chains within the country.
The successful transit of Pine Gas and Jag Vasant is one indicator (albeit small) that commercial shipping continues to operate despite increasing geopolitical tensions.
Geopolitical experts believe that there is a high probability for continued instability and potential violence in the region, which could once again put at risk the main shipping route which supplies significant portions of the world’s total energy supply.
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