First oil tanker reaches Mumbai after crossing Strait of Hormuz

First oil tanker reaches Mumbai after crossing Strait of Hormuz

A Liberian-flagged crude oil tanker, Shenlong Suezmax, has reached Mumbai port after successfully transiting the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

The vessel was carrying crude oil from Saudi Arabia's Ras Tanura port and was captained by an Indian.

Its safe passage came after Iran's decision to allow Indian vessels to pass through, according to the Mumbai Port Trust.

Ship's successful transit

Per ANI, the Liberia-flagged tanker departed Ras Tanura on March 1 before navigating the sensitive strait, which is located between Iran to the north and Oman/UAE to the south.

In recent days, Iran has intensified monitoring and restrictions on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) has warned that vessels wishing to pass through the Strait of Hormuz must seek Iranian permission or they could become targets of Iranian attacks.

Shipping ministry sets up control room

On Wednesday, the Shipping Ministry confirmed that 28 Indian-flagged vessels are currently operating in the Persian Gulf region.

Of these, 24 vessels with 677 Indian seafarers are west of the Strait of Hormuz, while four vessels with 101 Indian seafarers are east of it.

A control room has been set up at the ministry and Directorate General of Shipping since February 28 to monitor developments and coordinate assistance for these ships.

Iran's warning on oil prices

Iran has attacked at least 16 ships in the Strait since late February, raising fears of disruptions to global oil supplies.

The Iranian army has targeted a container ship off Dubai's coast and a major Saudi oil field with a drone.

Tehran has also warned that oil prices could spike to $200/barrel.

"Get ready for oil to be $200 a barrel, because....oil price depends on regional security, which you have destabilized," Ebrahim Zolfaqari, spokesperson for Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters, said.