28 Ships Bound for India Stranded in Strait of Hormuz Amid Middle East Conflict; 8 Vessels Reach Safely

Mumbai, March 31: At least 28 ships carrying critical energy supplies for India remain stranded in the Persian Gulf as the conflict in West Asia continues to paralyse the Strait of Hormuz. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, the stranded fleet consists of 18 Indian-flagged vessels and 10 foreign-flagged ships, all carrying essential cargoes of crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry, confirmed during a media briefing that the government’s immediate priority is the safe passage of these vessels through the high-risk zone. Currently, 485 seafarers are on board the 18 Indian-flagged ships anchored west of the strait. While the situation remains tense, officials noted that no incidents involving Indian vessels have been reported in the last 72 hours. ‘Strait of Trump’: Donald Trump Jokingly ‘Renames’ Hormuz Strait After Himself Mid-Speech (Watch Video).

PIB in UP Provides Update on Ships Arrival

Status of Energy Shipments and Vessel Movements

Out of the 10 foreign-flagged ships bound for India, three are carrying LPG, four are crude oil tankers, and three are LNG carriers. The 18 Indian-flagged vessels include a mix of four crude tankers, three LPG tankers, and one LNG carrier, with one empty tanker currently being refilled. This maritime gridlock is part of a larger crisis involving approximately 500 ships stuck in the narrow waterway since the outbreak of hostilities on February 28.

Despite the restrictions, eight Indian-flagged vessels have managed to transit the strait safely in recent days. Among these are the LPG carriers BW TYR and BW ELM, carrying a combined 94,000 tonnes of cargo. BW TYR is expected to arrive in Mumbai today, March 31, while BW ELM is scheduled to reach New Mangalore on April 1. These successful transits follow the earlier arrival of vessels like Pine Gas and Jag Vasant at Indian ports last week.

Economic Impact and Shipping Risks

The conflict has led to a sharp increase in commercial shipping insurance premiums. Previously, premiums stood at 0.04% of the insured value, but they have now spiked to 0.7% or higher in certain cases. The Ministry highlighted that the "high-risk area" (HRA) now extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz, complicating logistics for the entire region.

Tehran, which restricted access to the passage following the start of the war, recently indicated that "non-hostile vessels" may transit after coordinating with Iranian authorities. India has been utilizing diplomatic channels with Tehran to ensure the continued flow of energy imports, as the route is vital for the nation's fuel stability.

Importance of the Strait of Hormuz to India's Energy Security

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for India’s economy, facilitating the transit of approximately 40% of its crude oil, over 50% of its LNG, and 90% of its LPG imports. Any prolonged disruption to this route poses a significant challenge to domestic energy security. ‘Hormuz Route Opened for India’: FM Abbas Araghchi Announces Safe Passage for ‘Friendly Nations’ Including China, Russia.

Originally, 28 Indian-flagged vessels were caught in the zone when the conflict began. While eight have sailed to safety, the remaining 20 (including those filled and empty) are being closely monitored. The government has stated that it is not yet considering sending discharged vessels back into the Gulf for refills, focusing entirely on exiting the ships currently in the high-risk zone.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 31, 2026 09:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).