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An LPG Tanker’s Secret Detour Through the Strait of Hormuz
Strait of Hormuz, IranTuesday, March 31, 2026
A ship named Pine Gas, owned by a Mumbai company, was poised to depart the UAE’s Ruwais port in late February.
Its crew of 27 Indians had watched missiles and drones fly overhead daily as regional tensions escalated.
- Expected timeline: Reach home port within a week.
- Reality: Delayed almost three weeks for clearance.
Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Late Feb. | Pine Gas ready to leave Ruwais |
| Mar 11 | Indian officials urged departure |
| Mar 23 | Permission granted, via a narrow channel north of Larak Island (Hormuz lanes mined) |
The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps directed the unusual route; every crew member signed off on it.
Naval Support
- Indian Navy: Guided Pine Gas across the Gulf of Oman into the Arabian Sea.
- Escort: Four Indian warships provided protection for ~20 hours.
- No fee paid to Iran; Iranian forces never boarded the vessel.
The Indian Navy has been patrolling these waters for years to maintain safe shipping lanes.
Cargo and Impact
- Load: 45,000 metric tons of LPG.
- Distribution: Split between eastern ports instead of the originally planned western one.
While six Indian ships have already traversed Hormuz, 18 other Indian‑flagged vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf.
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