• Ten Indian-flagged vessels are currently queued near the Strait of Hormuz, awaiting safe passage amid heightened regional tensions.
  • The situation reflects a volatile reopening of the vital chokepoint, with intermittent crossings and ongoing coordination between Indian and Iranian authorities.
  • Any prolonged disruption could impact India's energy security and global oil markets, given the strait's critical role in crude and LNG flows.

Tense Waiting Game at Hormuz

Ten ships flying the Indian flag are held up near the Strait of Hormuz, according to people familiar with the matter, as the critical waterway experiences partial openings and closings amid renewed geopolitical frictions. The vessels—mostly tankers carrying crude and LPG—are part of a broader queue of dozens of merchant ships awaiting clearances, but India's fleet is particularly notable given the country's heavy reliance on Middle Eastern energy imports.

The Indian government has been coordinating with Iranian officials to facilitate passage, focusing on priority cargoes like fertilizers and energy supplies. A spokesperson for the Shipping Corporation of India declined to comment on specific vessel movements but confirmed ongoing discussions. Attempts to reach the Indian National Shipowners' Association for comment were unsuccessful.

Intermittent Crossings and Safety Assurances

Recent days have seen a mixed pattern: some Indian tankers, including the Desh Garima and Green Sanvi, have successfully crossed, while others have turned back or remain anchored in staging areas. The fluctuations mirror the broader instability in the region, where the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has conducted inspections and demanded assurances, according to shipping executives. Without a consistent safety protocol, ship operators remain cautious about transiting the strait.

“We are seeking firm guarantees before ordering our vessels to proceed,” said a senior executive at a Mumbai-based shipping company, speaking on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the press. The company has two ships in the queue.

Economic Stakes for India

India depends on the Strait of Hormuz for about 80% of its crude imports and a significant portion of its LPG supplies. Any sustained blockage could force refiners to seek costlier alternatives, lifting fuel prices domestically. The government has warned of potential supply chain impacts but has not yet activated emergency reserves.

Global oil markets are watching closely. Brent crude edged up 0.8% on Friday as the standoff continued, with analysts citing the chokepoint's vulnerability as a persistent risk premium. Shipping costs for routes through the strait have also risen, with war risk insurance premiums climbing.

Diplomatic Balancing Act

India's approach has combined quiet diplomacy with public calls for safe passage. New Delhi has engaged Tehran directly, leveraging a long-standing relationship to secure assurances for Indian-flagged ships. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet, which patrols the region, has not intervened directly, but its presence underpins broader maritime security.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of Indian ships waiting. The correct figure is ten.