Strait of Hormuz: 2 India-bound LPG ships cross May 2026

Why these crossings matter for India

Two India-bound liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tankers have transited the Strait of Hormuz despite elevated security risks and disrupted maritime traffic linked to the US-Israel-Iran conflict. The safe passage is significant for India’s fuel supply chain because the strait is a key chokepoint for energy cargoes moving from the Gulf to Indian ports. Officials said the two cargoes belong to Indian Oil Corporation (IOC/IOCL). The update came on a day when India also condemned an attack on an Indian-flagged commercial vessel off Oman.

What the government said on 14 May

Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said LPG tanker Symi crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 13 May 2026, and NV Sunshine crossed on 14 May 2026. According to officials, these movements take the total number of Indian vessels that have crossed the corridor since the outbreak of the conflict to 13. Mangal also said that since early March, 13 India-flagged vessels including 12 LPG tankers and one crude oil tanker have crossed the strait. Officials added that several foreign-flagged energy tankers carrying cargo for India have also transited the waterway. At least 12 Indian vessels remain stranded in the Gulf, along with multiple foreign ships carrying India-bound cargo.

Cargo, ports, and expected arrival dates

Officials said Symi is a Marshall Islands-flagged tanker carrying 19,965 tonnes of LPG and is expected to arrive at Kandla Port, Gujarat, on 16 May. NV Sunshine, a Vietnam-flagged vessel, is carrying 46,427 tonnes of LPG loaded at the UAE’s Ruwais refinery and is scheduled to dock at New Mangalore on 18 May. The cargo on both vessels belongs to Indian Oil. In a separate briefing, Mangal said India is prioritising the safe passage of LPG tankers from the region amid an acute shortage of cooking gas.

Transponder gaps and the wider shipping disruption

Officials said Symi emerged in the Gulf of Oman after turning off its transponder. NV Sunshine also followed hours later after transmitting its location east of Iran’s Larak Island before going dark. These details were shared as part of official updates about vessel movements through a zone affected by heightened tensions. The overall disruption in the Gulf has kept several ships waiting, including India-flagged vessels and foreign-flagged ships carrying India-bound cargo.

Attack on MSV Haji Ali off the Oman coast

Separately, an India-flagged mechanised sailing vessel (MSV) named MSV Haji Ali sank after coming under attack in Omani waters early on Wednesday. Officials said the incident triggered a fire onboard before the wooden dhow sank. The vessel was on a voyage from Somalia to Sharjah (UAE). The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the attack on a commercial Indian vessel as “unacceptable” and said it deplored that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted.

Crew rescue and India’s coordination with Oman

According to the MEA, all Indian crew members were rescued safely, and India thanked Omani authorities for the evacuation. Local media reports said the Oman Coast Guard rescued all 14 crew members after the vessel caught fire. Indian officials said the crew were taken to Dibba Port in Oman, with necessary formalities completed. Mangal said the crew would be brought back to India soon and that the Government of India remained in close coordination with the Sultanate of Oman, Indian mission officials, and relevant maritime agencies.

What is known about the strike and the vessel

The ship’s owner, Sultan Ahmed Ansar from Dwarka in Gujarat, reportedly said the vessel became stranded off the Omani coast around 3:30 am local time. Maritime security firm Vanguard said preliminary reports suggested the vessel may have been struck by a drone or a missile-like projectile. Vanguard also said the vessel was carrying livestock from Berbera Port in Somalia’s Somaliland region to Sharjah, and that the fire forced the crew to abandon ship before it sank near Limah, Oman, south of the Strait of Hormuz. Ship tracking platform Maritime Traffic reportedly identified the vessel as a 54-metre-long wooden dhow, while Mangal said the vessel that sank was 57 metres long and 14 metres wide.

Key facts at a glance

Market and operational context for India

The developments come amid continuing disruption to maritime movement in and around the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic route for energy shipments. Officials linked the broader closure and risks to the conflict involving Iran, the US and Israel, and Iran’s retaliation. Mangal said the safe passage of the two LPG vessels underlined India’s close ties with Iran. Separately, one update noted that over 3,158 seafarers have been repatriated, and port operations were described as remaining normal.

What to watch next

The immediate milestones are the expected arrivals of the two LPG cargoes at Kandla (16 May) and New Mangalore (18 May). Officials have also indicated that the Haji Ali crew will be repatriated soon after completing local formalities in Oman. Meanwhile, the status of the at least 12 stranded Indian vessels in the Gulf remains a key operational issue as maritime traffic continues to face security concerns.