Strait of Hormuz: 3 Indian Tankers Safe in June 2026

What happened and why it matters

Three Indian-flagged crude oil tankers have safely transited the Strait of Hormuz and are now sailing towards India, according to Union ports, shipping and waterways minister Sarbananda Sonowal. The ships are Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald. Together, they are carrying more than 8.6 lakh metric tonnes of crude cargo and have 94 Indian crew members on board. The development matters for India’s energy security because the strait is one of the most critical global oil transit routes. It also comes at a time when regional shipping movements have been closely watched amid conflict-related disruption and shifting restrictions.

Minister’s update and government coordination

Sonowal posted on X that the three vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and were en route to Indian ports. He said the government was working to safeguard India’s maritime and energy interests. He also said the ministry was coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers and the country’s “energy lifelines”. The statements signaled a focus on vessel safety as well as continuity of crude supplies moving into Indian ports. The update was framed as confirmation that the ships and crew were safe following the transit.

Which tankers are arriving where

According to PTI, the three vessels have defined arrival schedules at Indian ports over the next two weeks. Desh Vaibhav is expected to arrive at Vadinar Port on June 24. Desh Vibhor is scheduled to reach Sikka Port on June 24 as well. Sanmar Herald is expected to dock at Paradip on July 1. These dates are the clearest near-term indicators of crude inflows tied to the three transits.

The wider trigger: US action and a tentative agreement

The successful passage was reported days after the United States lifted its blockade on Iran, allowing oil tankers to resume movement through the waterway. The shift followed a tentative agreement aimed at ending the Iran conflict. Another report linked the restoration of “unrestricted passage” through the Strait of Hormuz to a framework announced on June 15, expected to be formalized on June 19. Even with the framework, commercial traffic was described as limited, with operators seeking formal clearance and security guarantees. The combination of diplomatic steps and security conditions has shaped how quickly shipping normalizes.

Shipping activity: rising volumes, but conflicting signals

US Central Command (CENTCOM) said commercial shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz increased on June 20. Reuters cited that more than 17 million barrels of oil moved through the waterway during the day. CENTCOM also said 55 commercial vessels transited the strait on Saturday and that safe passage remained intact. It added that US forces remained present and vigilant to ensure the agreement with Iran was adhered to.

At the same time, conflicting claims emerged from Iran. 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 he had seen no evidence that the waterway had been shut and said he was confident the ceasefire would hold. The mixed messaging underlines why ship operators have been cautious even as select voyages proceed.

Market and energy-security context for India

The Strait of Hormuz is described as handling nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, making any disruption directly relevant for large importers. In another account of the same crisis period, India’s crude basket price was reported to have surged from $19 to over $114 per barrel in April after Iran began restricting passage in early March. The episode highlighted the sensitivity of prices to shipping constraints at a single maritime choke point.

Separately, the US Treasury Department issued short-term sanctions waivers to purchase Iranian and Russian oil already on the water to stabilize global energy markets during the war with Iran. That report said the Iran waiver expired without renewal, while the Russia waiver continued on a rolling monthly basis and was most recently extended through mid-June. These policy changes have been watched by refiners and traders because they affect supply flexibility during disrupted shipping.

Operational reality: stalled ships and “strict management”

Despite the movement of the three Indian-flagged tankers, other reporting described a backlog of vessels and intermittent restrictions. Hundreds of vessels were reported stalled as operators awaited clearance and security guarantees. Another account said Iran’s joint military command resumed “strict management” of the strait and warned that transit would continue to be blocked as long as a US blockade of Iranian ports remained in place. It also said 13 vessels were stopped by the Iranian Navy and instructed to wait, with seven reported drifting south of Larak Island while awaiting clearance. These details reflect why the pace of normal shipping has remained uneven.

India-linked traffic: recent arrivals and upcoming LPG movements

Beyond the three crude tankers highlighted by Sonowal, related updates pointed to additional India-linked vessel movements. One report said that eight Indian tankers carrying crude oil and LPG had crossed Hormuz and arrived at various ports in India. Another said the latest arrival was Jag Laadki, which docked at Mundra port in Gujarat carrying around 80,886 metric tonnes of crude sourced from the UAE. It also said MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi reached India carrying a combined approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG.

Reuters also reported that two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, were preparing to sail through the Strait of Hormuz. The same coverage noted that no crude oil tankers had transited the strait in the prior 24 hours at one point, as ships anchored in Gulf waters after warnings of possible attacks on vessels attempting to exit the region.

Why the transit is being watched by markets

For Indian markets, the primary sensitivity is through crude prices and the reliability of import logistics rather than the listed shipping names involved in each crossing. The reporting around a price jump in India’s crude basket from $19 to over $114 per barrel during the restriction period shows how quickly costs can rise when Hormuz movements tighten. The new transits, the increase to 55 commercial vessels in a day, and the report of over 17 million barrels moving through the strait all point to improving throughput. But the parallel reports of reimposed controls, stopped vessels, and large backlogs indicate that risk pricing can return quickly if safe passage is questioned.

Conclusion

The safe transit of Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald through the Strait of Hormuz brings near-term clarity on crude shipments bound for Indian ports, with scheduled arrivals from June 24 to July 1. The broader shipping picture remains mixed, with increased traffic reported alongside intermittent restrictions and waiting vessels. Markets will continue tracking official updates from US and Iranian authorities and the next set of confirmed transits, including the India-flagged LPG tankers reported to be preparing for passage.