In light of a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran, the Strait of Hormuz has seen increased maritime activity, including the movement of Indian vessels previously stranded in the Persian Gulf. On Friday morning, two Indian ships—one transporting crude oil and another carrying containers—successfully crossed the vital strait, indicating a cautious reopening of this key maritime route.

Over the weekend, three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers, namely Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor, and Sanmar Herald, successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz while transporting over 8.6 lakh tonnes of oil, accompanied by 94 crew members. This movement is significant as it marks one of the first major transits of Indian energy cargoes since the recent diplomatic developments, amidst a backdrop of various vessels remaining further inside the Gulf.

On the same day, tracking data revealed that two additional Indian ships, Desh Suraksha and SSL Kaveri, commenced their journey eastward through the strait. Their navigational paths along the Omani coastline are noteworthy, as these vessels represent the first Indian ships to take this southern route since the onset of conflict in the region.

Mixed Outcomes for Indian Vessels in Persian Gulf

While certain Indian vessels have successfully cleared the Strait of Hormuz, others have faced challenges. The BW Loyalty, an Indian-flagged LPG tanker, reportedly approached the strait but later made a sudden U-turn. This incident occurred against the backdrop of a separate maritime security event reported by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), where a cargo ship was impacted by an “unknown projectile” southeast of Dahit, although no connections have been established between the two occurrences.

Despite the movements of Desh Suraksha and SSL Kaveri, several vessels remain within the Persian Gulf. Tracking information indicates a total of ten Indian-linked vessels still anchored in the region, comprising an assortment of tankers and commercial ships. These remaining vessels exhibit varied routes and decisions, with the Volvox Olympia showing the clearest eastward path while others, like BW Loyalty and APJ Priti 2, have reverted to their prior positions instead of progressing toward the strait.

The differing movements among these vessels reflect a cautious approach to navigating a still perilous maritime environment, as operators reassess their security strategies in light of recent developments.

UN Maritime Operations Adjust Due to Safety Concerns

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has temporarily halted its planned evacuation of over 11,000 sailors stranded in the Strait of Hormuz after an incident involving a cargo vessel. The organisation had previously commenced the evacuation of around 600 ships and numerous mariners, facilitating their departure via designated routes under U.S. oversight, which included both Iranian and Omani waters.

As of Thursday morning, approximately 57 vessels with about 1,100 seafarers had reportedly navigated through these safe routes. However, following the recent attack near Oman, IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez announced that they would reassess safety guarantees for passage, leading to a pause in the initiatives to evacuate stranded personnel. It is essential to note that the attacked vessel was not part of the IMO operation.

Since the escalation of conflict in late February, numerous ships and seafarers have remained trapped in the Gulf. Even though some commercial traffic has resumed, current data suggests that the Strait of Hormuz is not yet operating at full capacity as a normal shipping corridor.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share