Indian LNG carrier exits Strait of Hormuz after 3 months as US-Iran peace deal eases tensions
Indian LNG carrier Disha safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, becoming the first Indian-flagged LNG vessel to exit the conflict-hit region in over three months. The breakthrough follows a US-Iran peace deal
An Indian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier, Disha, safely transited through the Strait of Hormuz on Monday, making it the first Indian-flagged LNG-carrying vessel to exit the war zone in over three months.
The development comes roughly a day after US President Donald Trump announced that a peace deal with Iran is "now complete", with mediator Pakistan stating that the agreement will be signed on 19 June in Switzerland.
Disha, managed by a Shipping Corporation of India-led consortium, is carrying 62,370 metric tonnes of LNG cargo, a Shipping Ministry official said.
Quick answers to key questions
The Indian LNG carrier Disha was able to transit through the Strait of Hormuz after a peace deal was finalized between the US and Iran, easing tensions in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz was under tension due to military conflicts between the US and Iran, which included blockades that disrupted trade and shipping lanes.
The US-Iran peace deal is expected to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for international shipping, thus reducing shipping disruptions and improving trade stability.
Yes, businesses should anticipate lower shipping costs due to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, which is crucial for energy and trade flows, provided stability is maintained.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz had a significant impact on India's energy imports, causing higher freight and insurance costs, and prompting some rerouting of cargo, which increased transit times.
Indian carrier exits Hormuz
At a media briefing on recent developments in West Asia, Opesh Kumar Sharma, Director at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said the vessel is expected to arrive at Gujarat's Dahej on 18 June. He added, “As we speak now, LNG carrier Disha, managed by a Shipping Corporation of India-led consortium, has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, and she is carrying 62,370 metric tonnes of LNG cargo. The vessel is supposed to enter Dahej upon coming to India, likely on the 18th.”
He added that the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways continues to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, shipping companies and other relevant stakeholders to ensure seafarer welfare and provide all assistance.
The LNG carrier had reportedly been stranded in the Strait of Hormuz since March and has finally been able to traverse it after Washington and Tehran agreed to a deal to reopen the waterway, which is responsible for transporting roughly a fifth of the world's oil supplies.
Bloomberg reported that the LNG carrier, which is on a long-term charter with an Indian state-owned importer, is currently sailing through the eastern section of Hormuz toward the Gulf of Oman. The vessel had loaded LNG from Qatar's Ras Laffan export terminal around March 1, Bloomberg ship-tracking data showed.
US-Iran peace deal implementation to face challenges?
According to the report, while a peace deal that reopens the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz and ends the opposing blockades would be positive for importers and global markets, implementing it could prove challenging because Tehran has significant influence through its control of the vital waterway.
As a result, attention will turn to groups of ships waiting on either side of the Strait of Hormuz. Traders and shipowners will closely watch vessels anchored off Dubai and in the Gulf of Oman, as they could quickly begin crossing the waterway once conditions allow.
In the meantime, shipowners are working through the news and trying to comprehend the details of the agreement between Washington and Tehran, which may not be available for days, leading to little observed traffic in and around the corridor in the early hours of Monday.
Confidence in resuming transit via Hormuz to take weeks?
Citing shippers in Asia and Europe, Reuters reported that confidence in resuming transit through the Strait of Hormuz could take weeks to rebuild, and navigation will only restart once safety is assured, after the US and Iran agreed on a framework deal to reopen the waterway.
A spokesperson for the Japanese Shipowners' Association said on Monday that while the group welcomed the peace agreement, it wanted to "wait a little longer for more concrete information," and added, "Given the situation, we cannot simply say, 'Right then, let's go' based on news of the agreement alone."
Nippon Yusen, the country's biggest shipper, said it hoped operations would return to normal as soon as possible. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines said it would only resume navigation once safety had been fully confirmed.
German shipowners' association VDR said on Monday it was "cautiously optimistic" about whether the US-Iran deal could reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In contrast, German shipper Hapag-Lloyd said it hoped that vessels would be able to cross the strait this week.
(with agency inputs)
About the Author
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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