Relief amid tensions: Tanker 'Suezmax' carrying Saudi Arabian crude oil reaches Mumbai, how it passed through Strait of Hormuz
Mumbai: Amid ongoing tensions and war in West Asia, the tanker 'Shenlong Suezmax', carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia, arrived safely at Mumbai port on Thursday. This large Liberian-flagged tanker successfully completed its journey by crossing the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz.
The ship departed on March 1, loaded with crude oil from Saudi Arabia's vital oil terminal, Ras Tanura. The ship was commanded by an Indian officer (Captain). Mumbai Port Trust officials confirmed that the tanker obtained the necessary clearance from Iranian authorities before crossing the Arabian Sea and reaching the port.
Suezmax carrying approximately 1,35,335 metric tons of Saudi crude oil arrived safely at Mumbai Port. It is the first India-bound ship to successfully transit the high-risk Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating US-Iran dispute, and went "dark" (AIS turned off) for a short time to ensure safety.
This visit comes at a time when Iran has tightened surveillance and operational restrictions on ships transiting this route. Recently, Alireza Tangsiri, the naval commander of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, warned that military action could be taken against ships that disobey Iranian instructions. According to reports, some ships were recently targeted by Iranian forces for not obtaining permission.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important energy shipping routes, and more than 20 million barrels of crude oil pass through it daily, accounting for approximately 20 percent of global daily consumption.