As of Tuesday, a total of 50 ships, both Indian-flagged and foreign-flagged, have successfully navigated the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of the West Asia conflict on February 28. Currently, nine Indian vessels remain in the Persian Gulf, west of the Strait, carrying 198 Indian seafarers. A shipping ministry official confirmed that these vessels are operational and trading in the region, although there is no information regarding additional Indian ships waiting to transit the Strait for new cargo.
Industry experts suggest that it may take time for shipping companies to resume regular operations in the area. Of the ships that have passed through the Strait, 18 are flagged under India, while the remaining 32 are foreign-flagged. Among the transiting vessels, the majority are bulk carriers, with 19 counted, followed by 14 LPG carriers and 12 crude oil tankers. Additionally, there are two LNG carriers and one container ship among the group.
In related news, Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu has achieved a significant milestone by reaching an operational draft of 18 meters. This makes it the second major port owned by the central government, following Visakhapatnam, to attain this capability. Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted this achievement as a step towards enhancing India’s maritime infrastructure, which is crucial for economic growth and global trade.
