3 Indian-flagged oil tankers cross Strait of Hormuz, head home with 94 crew members

Summary

NEW DELHI: Three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers carrying more than 8.6 lakh metric tonnes of cargo and 94 Indian crew members successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and are now sailing towards India, Union ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal said. The development comes days after the United States lifted its blockade on Iran and allowed oil tankers to resume movement through the strategically important waterway following a tentative agreement aimed at ending the Iran conflict. In a post on X, Sonowal said the three vessels, Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald, had safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and were en route to Indian ports. “3 Indian-flagged crude oil tankers, Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald carrying over 8.6 Lakh MT of cargo with 94 Indian crew members have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz today and are en route to India,” Sonowal said. He added that the government was working to safeguard India’s maritime and energy interests. “Under the decisive leadership of Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji, GoI is working on highest priority to secure India's maritime interests. Our Ministry is actively coordinating with all relevant agencies to guarantee the absolute safety of Bharat's seafarers and energy lifelines,” he said. Tankers set to reach Indian ports next week According to news agency PTI, Desh Vaibhav is expected to arrive at Vadinar Port on June 24, while Desh Vibhor is scheduled to reach Sikka Port on the same day. The third tanker, Sanmar Herald, is expected to dock at Paradip on July 1. The successful passage of the vessels comes amid improving shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil transit routes. Shipping traffic rises despite tensions The United States military said commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased on June 20, with more than 17 million barrels of oil moving through the waterway during the day, according to Reuters. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said 55 commercial vessels transited the strait on Saturday and that safe passage remained intact. “US forces remain present and vigilant to ensure all aspects of the agreement with Iran are adhered to, obeyed, and in full force and effect,” CENTCOM said. The comments came shortly after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced the closure of the strait, alleging violations of the US-Iran truce by Israel and the United States. However, US Vice President JD Vance said earlier that he had seen no evidence of the waterway being shut and expressed confidence that the ceasefire would hold.