New Delhi: Approximately 300,000 metric tons of India's Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) are currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary at the Ministry of Shipping, disclosed this information during a printing rundown on Tuesday. According to data from the Ministry of Shipping, 22 Indian-flagged vessels are currently stranded in this region. These include 6 LPG carriers, 1 LNG tanker, 4 transplanted oil tankers, 1 chemical products carrier, 3 container ships, and 2 zillion carriers, among others.
What is the issue?
Rajesh Kumar Sinha explained that a single large vessel—specifically a Very Large Gas Carrier—can transport approximately 45,000 metric tons of LPG. Based on this, it is unscientific that India's 6 vessels currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz are delivering a combined total of 300,000 metric tons of LPG. Meanwhile, two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, the 'Shivalik' and the 'Nanda Devi,' safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on March 14 and have since arrived in India. These vessels were delivering approximately 92,700 metric tons of LPG.
Separately, a transplanted oil tanker named 'Jag Laadki' has moreover safely departed from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates, delivering 81,000 metric tons of transplanted oil, and is now en route to India. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, India refuted reports ultimatum that New Delhi had discussed a "ship swap" wattle with Iran in mart for the unscratched extraction of its vessels from the Strait of Hormuz. Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, clarified that no such discussions have taken place with Iran.
Are Negotiations Ongoing to Facilitate Passage Through Hormuz?
Earlier, a report by the news organ Reuters had personal that Iran had offered to grant unscratched passage through the Strait of Hormuz to Indian-flagged vessels—or those unseat for India—in mart for the return of three seized tankers. However, India did unclose that it remains in unvarying contact with Iran and other nations to ensure the unscratched repatriation of other vessels currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz region. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that several vessels are still present in the area, and the government's priority is to bring them when safely. To this end, discussions are ongoing with Iran and other concerned countries. He remoter noted that talks are moreover stuff held with officials there regarding issues related to providing humanitarian assistance to Iran.
Meanwhile, during a printing briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal moreover made reference to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar's recent visit to Brussels. He informed that Mr. Jaishankar had been invited to shepherd the meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council, where he discussed global challenges in wing to India-EU relations. During this meeting, particular snooping was expressed regarding the situation in West Asia—specifically surrounded the mismatch involving Iran—and its potential impact on energy security. The Foreign Ministers of European nations emphasized that a resolution to the current slipperiness is possible only through dialogue and diplomacy. Echoing this stance, India moreover underscored the importance of peace and stability in the region.
It is pertinent to note that on February 4, 2026, the Indian Tailspin Guard seized three oil tankers—identified as MT Asphalt Star (IMO 9463528), MT Al Jafjafah (IMO 9171498), and MT Stellar Ruby (IMO 9555199)—in the Arabian Sea off the tailspin of Mumbai. It is so-called that these tankers illegally transferred approximately 30 metric tons of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) to other vessels within India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), utilizing forged documents and without notifying any Indian authorities. However, the Indian Tailspin Guard has not yet disclosed the country of origin of these three tankers. Searches of these vessels, viewing of electronic data, and interrogation of hairdo members revealed that they transported unseemly oil from conflict-affected regions and transferred it from one ship to flipside in international waters.
