Indian LPG tanker escaped Strait of Hormuz mines via new route; did not pay fee for transit

Indian‑flagged LPG tanker Pine Gas loaded cargo, that left the United Arab Emirates’ ‌Ruwais port on Feb 27, took an alternate route to reach India as Iran-US-Israeli war broke out in the region. The vessel transited the Strait of Hormuz three weeks later, after Iran allowed ships through the narrow waterway. On Tuesday (Mar 31), Pine Gas Chief Officer Sohan Lal ​revealed that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) instructed the tanker to navigate a narrow channel north of ⁠Larak Island off Iran’s coast. Lal said Indian authorities and the ship’s owner, Mumbai‑based Seven Islands Shipping, agreed to proceed only if every crew member consented to the voyage.

Also Read: Iran allows India, 4 other nations to use Strait of Hormuz amid energy crisis

According to reports, the ship’s 27 Indian crew had seen missiles and drones flying overhead every day as they waited. According to Reuters, a video taken from the vessel showed at least five projectiles streaking through the night. The ship was cleared to move on Mar 23, but not through the normal Hormuz shipping lanes. “They needed a yes or a no from all crew. Everyone onboard ​agreed.”

Also Read: 'BB guns': Trump mocks Iran’s threat to strike American companies including Apple, Microsoft and Google

​Lal added that the Larak route, not generally used by ​shipping, was recommended by the IRGC as the ‌regular passage through Hormuz was mined. Amid reports that Iran is charging ships for crossing the Hormuz strait, Lal said that they did not pay a fee for the transit and the IRGC did not board the vessel at any time. He also revealed that the Indian Navy guided the ship during the transit before four Indian warships escorted it for nearly 20 hours from the Gulf of Oman to the Arabian Sea. The Indian navy also confirmed it was escorting Indian-flagged ships after they crossed the strait.