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MEA Seeks Safe Passage for 22 Stranded Vessels Near Strait of Hormuz Amid Iran Conflict and 20% Global Oil Transit Risk

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains Medium
14 Mar 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:22 vessels stranded20% global oil & LNG transit92,000+ tonnes LPGMarch 16-17, 2026 arrival
Bodies:Ministry of External Affairs (MEA)Shipping Corporation of India (SCI)BRICS
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What This Article Covers

1.India's MEA sought safe passage for 22 stranded vessels (4 crude, 6 LPG, 1 LNG) west of the Strait of Hormuz amid an Iran-US-Israel conflict blockade.

2.The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime chokepoint carrying 20% of global oil and seaborne LNG; its closure impacts India's energy security, causing domestic gas shortages.

3.As BRICS chair, India is attempting to build consensus on the Middle East conflict while coordinating with Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Iran, the US, and Israel.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

India is actively engaged in high-stakes diplomacy to secure its energy security, seeking safe passage for 22 vessels (including 4 crude oil and 6 LPG carriers) stranded near the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran-US-Israel conflict. This chokepoint handles 20% of global seaborne oil and LNG, and the blockade has already triggered domestic gas shortages, forcing India to cut industrial supplies. Aspirants must analyze the interplay of international conflict, maritime security, and energy diplomacy.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Stranded Vessels22 vessels (4 crude oil, 6 LPG carriers, 1 LNG vessel)
Strait of Hormuz ImportanceCarries 20% of global oil and seaborne LNG
Cargo Amount92,000+ tonnes of LPG on two SCI VLGCs
Expected ArrivalMundra and Kandla ports on March 16-17, 2026

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Stranded Vessels: 22 vessels (4 crude oil, 6 LPG carriers, 1 LNG vessel)
  • ›Strait of Hormuz Importance: Carries 20% of global oil and seaborne LNG
  • ›Target this Data: 20% of global oil and seaborne LNG transits the Strait of Hormuz.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is the lead diplomatic agency seeking safe passage.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provisions on transit passage through straits used for international navigation.

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Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which Indian ministry's spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, communicated India's efforts to secure safe passage for vessels near the Strait of Hormuz?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the news about the Strait of Hormuz:

1. India sought safe passage for 22 vessels, which included four crude oil carriers and six liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) carriers.

2. The Strait of Hormuz carries approximately 30% of the world's seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply.

3. As the chair of BRICS, India has attempted to build consensus among its members regarding the Middle East conflict.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what percentage of the global oil and seaborne liquefied natural gas supply is carried through the Strait of Hormuz?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What has been a direct domestic consequence in India of the blockade at the Strait of Hormuz, as mentioned in the article?

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