A Liberian-flagged Suezmax tanker, Shenlong, carrying 135,335 metric tonnes of Saudi crude from Ras Tanura, has docked at Mumbai’s Jawahar Dweep terminal—the first India-bound vessel to navigate the Strait of Hormuz since the US-Iran war erupted on February 28, 2026.
The vessel, owned by Shenlong Shipping Ltd and managed by Athens-based Dynacom Tanker Management, went dark on trackers after March 8 amid spoofing and jamming in the strait, reappearing on March 9 before berthing on March 12. Cargo discharge to Mahul refineries began immediately, expected to take 36 hours, with 29 Indian, Pakistani, and Filipino crew aboard under Captain Sukshant Singh Sandhu.
This breakthrough eases some pressure on India’s energy imports amid the Hormuz crisis, where 28 Indian-flagged vessels remain stranded or nearby, though seven have reached the Arabian Sea safely. A separate attack on Thai-flagged Mayuree Naree en route to Kandla highlights ongoing risks to maritime trade routes.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the targeting of commercial shipping, as global oil prices hover near $100/barrel and freight disruptions ripple through logistics chains. For maritime stakeholders, this signals tentative normalization but underscores the need for enhanced rerouting and insurance strategies.
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