Last Updated:March 12, 2026, 17:23 IST

The tanker loaded crude from Ras Tanura port in Saudi Arabia on March 1, departed on March 3 and, as per maritime tracking data, it was in the Strait of Hormuz on March 8

Liberia-flagged oil tanker Shenlong Suezmax – carrying Saudi crude – was the first India-bound vessel to dock at the Mumbai port after safely passing through the Strait of Hormuz since the West Asia conflict began.

The Shenlong Suezmax had loaded crude from Ras Tanura port in Saudi Arabia on March 1 and departed on March 3. According to maritime tracking data, it was in the Strait of Hormuz on March 8 before it temporarily went off tracking systems before it came back on March 9.

The tanker docked at the Mumbai port at 1 pm on Wednesday (March 11) and was berthed at Jawahar Dweep at 6.06 pm. It is carrying 1,35,335 metric tonnes of crude oil, which will be supplied to refineries in eastern Mumbai’s Mahul. The crude discharge process is expected to take around 36 hours.

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The tanker is owned by Shenlong Shipping Ltd and managed by Dynacom Tanker Management Ltd of Athens. The ship has 29 crew members including Indian, Pakistani and Filipino nationals, and is captained by an Indian.

HOW DID THE TANKER PASS HORMUZ?

The ship reportedly switched off its automatic identification system (AIS) transponder while navigating the high-risk Strait of Hormuz, which is effectively under the control of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards since the war began on February 28.

It reappeared on tracking systems on March 9. The transponder is a mandatory maritime VHF radio system that automatically broadcasts a ship’s identity, position, speed, and course to nearby vessels and shore stations to prevent collisions and improve navigation.

India, meanwhile, said at present, 28 Indian-flagged vessels are operating in the Persian Gulf region. Of these, 24 vessels are located west of Hormuz carrying 677 Indians, while four vessels are east of the strait with 101 Indians on board.

The Centre said their safety and security are being actively monitored. A 24-hour control room has been set up at the shipping ministry since February 28 to monitor developments and coordinate assistance.

ALSO READ | Oil, War And Diplomacy: 8 Steps India Took To Protect Its Tankers In Strait Of Hormuz

WHAT HAS IRAN SAID ABOUT HORMUZ?

Earlier, the commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps’ (IRGC) naval force said vessels seeking to sail through Hormuz must obtain Iran’s approval or become targets of Iranian attacks. Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri said two ships that had ignored the warnings were targeted on Wednesday.

“Were the ships assured of safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz? This should be asked of the crews of the vessels Express Rome and Mayuree Naree, who today, trusting in empty promises, ignored the warnings and intended to cross the Strait, but were caught. Any vessel intending to pass must obtain permission from Iran," Rear Admiral Tangsiri said in a post on X.

According to state media, Iran intensified its restrictions on the passage of ships through the strait and Tehran has said vessels not serving the interests of the United States and Israel can sail safely through. More than 20 million barrels of crude oil pass daily through the narrow channel separating the Iranian coast from Oman.

ALSO READ | India Weighs Naval Escorts For Tankers & Cargo Ships For Safe Passage Through Hormuz: Exclusive

The volume represents roughly a fifth of global oil consumption and nearly a quarter of all seaborne oil trade. A significant share of the world’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) also moves through the same passage.

(With agency inputs)

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