MT Sarv Shakti, carrying 46,313 metric tonnes of LPG, safely navigated the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and is now en route to Visakhapatnam, where it is expected to dock on 13 May with a critical Indian cooking gas cargo, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways announced on Sunday. The passage marks the first known transit by an India-linked tanker through the strait since a US-led blockade targeting Iran-associated vessels effectively reduced traffic through the corridor to near-zero levels.

A Significant Passage Through a Contested Corridor

The Marshall Islands-flagged very large gas carrier has 20 crew members onboard, of whom 18 are Indian nationals. Ship-tracking data showed the vessel moving into the Gulf of Oman after passing near Iran's Larak and Qeshm islands on Saturday. The ship was broadcasting its Indian destination and crew details — a safety protocol widely adopted by vessels navigating the region since the outbreak of conflict involving Iran.

Sarv Shakti is also among the largest carriers to navigate the route since a brief and chaotic reopening of the strait last month, which was quickly followed by renewed restrictions. The vessel has previously operated on routes between the Persian Gulf and Indian ports, making it familiar with the corridor's navigational demands.

Why the Voyage Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical energy corridors, through which a significant share of global LPG and crude oil flows. The US-led blockade targeting ships associated with Iran had, according to the ministry, effectively choked tanker traffic to near-zero levels in recent weeks — a disruption with direct implications for India's cooking gas supply chain. Sarv Shakti's successful transit signals a cautious, if fragile, reopening of the route for India-bound energy shipments.

Indian Seafarers and Vessel Safety

The ministry confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the Middle East are reported safe and that no incident involving Indian-flagged vessels has been reported in the past 24 hours. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) Control Room has handled 8,373 calls and more than 17,965 emails since activation, with 38 calls and 127 emails received in the last 24 hours alone.

The ministry has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 2,953 Indian seafarers from various locations across the Gulf region so far, including 31 in the last 24 hours. Port operations across India remain normal, with no congestion reported at any major port.

Diplomatic and Consular Measures

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) continues to monitor developments in the Gulf and West Asia region. Indian embassies and consulates are operating round-the-clock helplines and are in close contact with local governments to assist Indian citizens. The government is also coordinating with state governments and Union Territory administrations for information sharing and alignment of welfare efforts.

Updated advisories covering local government guidelines, flight and travel situations, consular services, and welfare measures are being issued on a rolling basis, the ministry statement said. With Sarv Shakti's arrival in Visakhapatnam expected on 13 May, attention will now turn to whether additional India-bound tankers can safely follow the same route.