Three Indian LPG vessels move through Hormuz
By Ujwal Jalali
New Delhi, Updated At : 02:00 AM Apr 04, 2026 IST
An Iranian crude tanker that had been headed to India for three days abruptly dropped its Indian destination as it neared arrival and began signalling China, raising fresh uncertainty over a possible resumption of oil trade between New Delhi and Tehran.
Ship-tracking data from energy intelligence firm Kpler showed the tanker Ping Shun, which had earlier indicated Vadinar port in Gujarat as its destination, is now signalling Dongying in China’s Shandong province. The vessel, built in 2002 and sanctioned by the US in 2025, was carrying an estimated 600,000 barrels of Iranian crude and was expected to reach India this week. Had the delivery gone ahead, it would have been India’s first import of Iranian oil in nearly seven years, after shipments stopped in 2019 amid tightened US sanctions.
In a last-minute development, the tanker altered its declared destination mid-voyage — a move analysts say highlights the complexities around sanctions compliance, payment channels and insurance risks tied to Iranian oil trade. “There is no confirmation that the destination indicated via AIS is final and it may change again during transit,” Kpler analysts said, underscoring the fluid nature of maritime signals.
The development follows the Centre’s statement that it had “no specific information” about any Iranian oil-bearing vessel heading to India, even as some reports had suggested Ping Shun might dock at Vadinar around April 4.
India halted Iranian crude imports in May 2019 after US sanctions, prompting refiners to diversify sourcing to Russia, West Asia and other suppliers. Although recent geopolitical shifts and supply constraints had fuelled speculation about a possible revival of Iranian flows, the tanker’s sudden diversion highlights persistent structural and financial hurdles.
Separately, three Indian-flagged vessels are expected to arrive in India in the coming days, with one already transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Industry sources said LPG carrier Green Sanvi, carrying about 44,000 tonnes of LPG, is passing through the strait and is placed near the Gulf of Oman. Two more vessels, Green Asha and Jag Vikram, are likely to follow shortly.
