Indian Warships Intervene to Rescue Stranded LPG Tanker from Strait of Hormuz
The crew of the Pine Gas, an Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas tanker, faced a terrifying three-week ordeal in the Strait of Hormuz, watching missiles and drones streak overhead daily as geopolitical tensions escalated. The vessel had loaded cargo at the United Arab Emirates' Ruwais port on 28 February, just one day before Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran, expecting a routine week-long journey home.
A Harrowing Wait Amidst Conflict
Instead, the 27 Indian crew members found themselves trapped in a perilous standoff, with Chief Officer Sohan Lal recounting the experience of seeing at least five projectiles illuminate the night sky above the ship, as captured in video footage reviewed by Reuters. Indian officials had placed the crew on standby around 11 March, but escalating conflict prevented clearance for movement until 23 March, and not through the usual shipping lanes.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps instructed the tanker to navigate a narrow channel north of Larak Island, off Iran's coast, as the regular passage through Hormuz was reportedly mined. Indian authorities and the ship's owner, Mumbai-based Seven Islands Shipping, agreed to this alternative route only after obtaining consent from every crew member. "They needed a yes or a no from all crew," Lal stated. "Everyone onboard agreed."
Naval Escort to Safety
The Indian Navy guided the Pine Gas during the transit, with four Indian warships then escorting it for nearly 20 hours from the Gulf of Oman to the Arabian Sea. Lal confirmed that no fees were paid for the transit, and the IRGC did not board the vessel at any time. The Indian navy has acknowledged escorting Indian-flagged ships after they crossed the strait, with the foreign ministry noting its longstanding presence in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea to secure sea lanes for Indian and other vessels.
India relies heavily on seaborne imports of liquefied petroleum gas, with hundreds of millions of households depending on it for cooking. The Pine Gas, carrying 45,000 metric tons of LPG, was originally scheduled to unload at the west coast port of Mangalore but was redirected by Indian authorities to discharge equal volumes at the eastern ports of Visakhapatnam and Haldia.
Broader Implications and Remaining Risks
Iran has stated that it permits "friendly nations," including China, Russia, India, Iraq, and Pakistan, passage through the Strait of Hormuz. While six Indian ships have now exited the strait, 18 Indian-flagged vessels carrying approximately 485 Indian seafarers remain in the Persian Gulf, highlighting ongoing risks in this critical maritime chokepoint. This incident underscores the volatile security environment in the region and India's proactive naval role in safeguarding its commercial interests amid heightened tensions.
