Hormuz Opens: Indian LPG Tanker Jag Vikram Leads Fleet Through Strait After Ceasefire
The LPG tanker Jag Vikram sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday, becoming the first Indian vessel to cross the strategic chokepoint after the US-Iran ceasefire took effect earlier this week . The 26,427-tonne tanker was carrying approximately 22,080 metric tonnes of LPG — enough to fill 15.5 lakh domestic cooking gas cylinders .
Nobody saw this breakthrough coming just 72 hours ago. The two-week ceasefire, agreed upon less than an hour before President Donald Trump’s deadline expired, temporarily reopened the waterway that handles 20% of the world’s oil shipments .
What Happened Next
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed that several ships have already crossed Hormuz since the truce began . “We are trying to bring back our ships as soon as possible,” he said on Wednesday . Eight LPG tankers — including Nanda Devi, Jag Vasant, Shivalik and BW Tyr — have already transited the chokepoint after negotiations between New Delhi and Tehran .
But Jag Vikram’s passage marks a turning point. The vessel had been part of a loose holding pattern off Khasab along with 19 other Indian-flagged ships waiting for clearance . Among them: another LPG tanker BW Loyalty carrying enough gas for 32.4 lakh cylinders, and four crude oil tankers holding roughly 30 lakh barrels of raw petroleum .
The timing could not be more significant. India imports nearly 60% of its LPG from the Gulf, and any prolonged closure would have hit household cooking gas supplies within weeks . The two stranded LPG tankers alone represented 48 lakh cylinders worth of supply — a buffer India could not afford to lose during peak demand season .
A senior Iranian source told Reuters that Washington agreed to release $6 billion of frozen Iranian funds held in Qatar, a move “directly linked to ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz” . The money, originally frozen in 2018, had been part of a 2023 prisoner swap before being blocked again after the October 7 Hamas attacks .
What This Really Means For You
Your LPG cylinder prices won’t spike this month — and that’s no small win. Had these two tankers remained stuck indefinitely, India would have faced a supply gap of nearly 5 million cylinders by May, right when summer demand peaks . For a typical household using one 14.2 kg cylinder per month, this means no sudden price hikes or rationing. The relief extends beyond cooking gas: the four stranded crude tankers carry enough raw oil to keep refineries running at full capacity, ensuring petrol and diesel supplies stay stable at pumps across India .
The Bottom Line
Jag Vikram’s passage through Hormuz is more than a maritime milestone — it’s a signal that India’s energy lifeline remains open, for now. But with only a two-week truce and 18 Indian vessels still waiting, the real test begins when talks resume in Islamabad this week .
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much LPG was Jag Vikram carrying?
A: Approximately 22,080 metric tonnes, enough to fill 15.5 lakh domestic 14.2 kg cooking gas cylinders .
Q: How many Indian ships are still stuck near Hormuz?
A: At least 20 Indian-flagged vessels remain west of the strait, including one LPG tanker and four crude oil carriers .
Q: How long will the Hormuz ceasefire last?
A: The current truce is for two weeks, with formal talks scheduled in Islamabad later this week .
References
India Today — Iran War Ceasefire: Counting India’s Stranded LPG and Oil Cargo in Hormuz — https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/iran-war-ceasefire-counting-indias-stranded-lpg-and-oil-cargo-in-hormuz-2893290-2026-04-08
Moneycontrol — Jag Vikram first Indian vessel to cross Strait of Hormuz after US-Iran ceasefire — https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/india/jag-vikram-first-indian-vessel-to-cross-strait-of-hormuz-after-us-iran-ceasefire-13886164.html
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