'The absolute safety of Bharat's seafarers': Sonowal after 3 tankers cross Hormuz

Three Indian-flagged crude supertankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and are now headed to India, completing the transit shortly before Iran’s military announced a renewed closure of the strategic waterway.

The vessels — Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald — were carrying 94 Indian crew members and roughly 860,000 tonnes of crude.

Also Read | Rainy days ahead? Delhi forecast promises showers, while Bengal faces heavy rain threat

A timely passage through troubled waters

Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal confirmed the transit via X, saying the three tankers “have successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz today and are en route to India".

In the same post, he said the ministry was coordinating with relevant agencies to ensure “the absolute safety of Bharat’s seafarers and energy lifelines". Desh Vaibhav was expected to reach Vadinar port on June 24, Desh Vibhor to arrive at Sikka on the same day, and Sanmar Herald to reach Paradip on July 1.

The channel narrows, the stakes climb

Tracking data showed Desh Vibhor was still negotiating its way through the strait earlier in the day after initially turning toward a southerly route advised by the US military and then reversing course back toward Iran’s coastline.

Iran’s joint military command later announced the strait was being closed again, blaming Israeli strikes in Lebanon and accusing the US of “bad faith", while warning that “if the aggression continues, subsequent steps have been planned.”

Beyond the strait, the voyage continues

The ministry said ten Indian vessels remained in the Persian Gulf on Saturday, stationed on the western side of the strait the three tankers had just crossed.

With the ships now clear of Hormuz, the cargoes are expected to continue toward Indian ports over the coming days, with the earliest arrivals due on June 24 and the last on July 1.

Also Read | Fire breaks out at Bengaluru's Nagasandra Metro station, services continue without disruption

FAQs

Q1: Why is the Strait of Hormuz important for India?

Ans: The Strait of Hormuz is a key global shipping route through which a significant share of India's crude oil imports passes.

Q2: Which Indian tankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz before the closure?

Ans: The Indian-flagged tankers Desh Vaibhav, Desh Vibhor and Sanmar Herald safely crossed the strait and are headed to Indian ports.