Went dark on a shadow voyage: How India-bound vessel crossed Strait of Hormuz | India News
New Delhi: One of the first crude oil tankers since the start of the Iran-US conflict has arrived at Mumbai port after passing through the Strait of Hormuz.According to news agency ANI, the Liberia-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax docked at Mumbai port at 1 pm on Wednesday and berthed at Jawahar Island at 6:06 pm. The tanker loaded crude oil from Ras Tanura port in Saudi Arabia on March 1 and departed on March 3.It is carrying 1,35,335 MT of crude oil, which will be delivered to refineries in Mahul, East Mumbai. The crude extraction process is expected to take about 36 hours.The tanker is owned by Shenlong Shipping Limited and managed by Dynacom Tanker Management Limited of Athens. The ship has 29 crew members including Indian, Pakistani and Filipino nationals and is captained by an Indian.How the ship crossed the Strait of HormuzMarine tracking data showed the ship in the Strait of Hormuz on March 8 before the tracking system was temporarily turned off. According to ANI, the vessel switched off its Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponder while navigating a high-risk stretch of the strait.After navigating the high-risk area, the ship reappeared on the marine tracking system on March 9. Shipping companies often use this technique, also known as “darkness,” to avoid the risk of being targeted or tracked.A transponder is a mandatory marine VHF radio system that automatically broadcasts a vessel’s identity, position, speed and course to nearby vessels and shore stations to prevent collisions and improve navigation.Earlier, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy Commander Alireza Tangsiri said ships seeking to pass through the waterway must seek Tehran’s approval. In a post on X, he said two ships were targeted that ignored Iran’s warnings on Wednesday.“Were the ships assured of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz? This should be asked of the crews of the Rome Express and Mayuri Nari ships, who today, believing in empty promises, ignored warnings and intended to cross the strait but were caught. Any ship to pass must obtain permission from the Iranian general,” the Iranian general said.Iranian state media reported that Tehran had tightened restrictions on shipping through the strait, saying ships that do not protect the interests of the United States or Israel would be allowed safe passage.The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, with more than 20 million barrels of crude oil per day moving through the narrow channel between Iran and Oman — about a fifth of global oil consumption and about a quarter of seaborne oil trade.Meanwhile, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said that 28 Indian-flagged vessels are currently operating in the Persian Gulf. Of these, 24 ships carrying 677 Indian sailors are located west of the Strait of Hormuz, while four ships with 101 Indian crew members are located east of the strait.The ministry said that a 24-hour control room has been operational since February 28 in the ministry and the Directorate of Shipping to monitor the evolving situation and coordinate assistance as needed.Authorities are also working with Indian embassies, ship managers and recruitment agencies to ensure the safety of Indian seafarers in the region.
