India plans Hormuz transits to secure Gulf oil in 2026

What India is planning, and why it matters

India is preparing to send ships through the Strait of Hormuz to pick up crude oil and other energy cargoes from Middle Eastern suppliers, according to a Bloomberg report citing people familiar with the matter. The move would be the first such Indian effort to load cargoes west of the chokepoint since the Iran conflict began. The plans are said to be finalised, and Indian vessels would begin attempting to cross the narrow waterway once the government gives final approval. People cited in the report did not specify the timing of the shipments or the volumes involved. The push comes as disruption in the corridor has strained global energy markets and raised shipping risk in the region.

India’s dependence on Gulf energy remains significant even after increasing purchases from Russia and other sources in recent years. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints and has been at the centre of supply concerns since the conflict erupted. Any sustained disruption affects freight, insurance, and delivery schedules, which then flows into crude price volatility. For India, keeping cargo movement predictable is closely linked to refinery planning and domestic fuel supply logistics.

Why the Strait of Hormuz is a global chokepoint

The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly one-fifth of global oil flows, according to the information cited in the report. Another account in the provided material describes the lane as handling 20% of global daily oil and LNG flows before the war. Since the conflict began, shipping activity through the passage has slowed dramatically, adding to market anxiety around supply continuity. The strait’s narrow geography makes it hard for shipping to reroute without significantly higher time and cost.

The situation is further complicated by the fact that the conflict has led to heightened security concerns for commercial vessels. Even when cargoes move, the risk environment can change quickly, influencing charter rates and vessel availability. For a large importing country, that can translate into higher landed costs and uncertain delivery windows.

What Bloomberg reported about India’s next steps

Bloomberg reported that India’s plan has been finalised and that ships will start attempting to cross once the government provides final clearance. The sources asked not to be identified because the discussions are private. The report did not provide details on when the first attempted crossings would take place or how many cargoes are being lined up.

The same material also noted that India plans to send empty tankers into the Strait of Hormuz to load oil supplies from Gulf producers. This would mark a first Indian move to send vessels west of the chokepoint for loading crude and LPG since the Iran war began. While some shipments out of the Gulf have still passed through the chokepoint during the conflict, the new plan indicates a more deliberate attempt to restore liftings via the route.

Shipping Corporation of India’s role and required clearances

According to the report, state-owned Shipping Corporation of India is prepared to resume operations in the Persian Gulf once it receives clearance from the Indian Navy and commercial orders from domestic oil refiners. That sequencing matters because even if political and naval approvals are secured, tankers still require viable cargo bookings and operational instructions from refiners.

The mention of Indian Navy clearance highlights the security dimension of the plan. Commercial movement through a high-risk corridor typically requires coordination on routing, advisories, and contingency procedures. The report positions SCI as operationally ready, but awaiting formal approvals and market-side demand.

Blockades, permissions, and why external approvals matter

The material provided said it is unclear whether Iran or the US have given India a green light to send ships through the waterway. It also stated that both are separately blockading the strait and surrounding waters amid the war, and that their agreement would be critical for the plan to work. Another portion indicated India would likely need approval from the US to move through the US blockade in the Gulf of Oman first, and then from Iran for clearance in the Strait of Hormuz en route to Persian Gulf export ports.

Separately, the material noted that signs had emerged that Iran is allowing passage through Hormuz on a case-by-case basis. That framing suggests that even if some vessels are permitted, the process may remain selective rather than routine.

Recent movement: LPG and crude cargoes begin to flow

The development was also linked to Iran’s statement that India and four other “friendly nations” would be allowed to move their ships through the Strait of Hormuz amid the conflict. In that context, shipping data showed two LPG tankers, BW ELM and BW TYR, transited the corridor on a Saturday and were moving towards the Gulf of Oman.

The material further said around five more Indian tankers, primarily carrying crude oil, were anchored in waters near the United Arab Emirates and awaiting clearance to pass through the strait. Alongside those movements, Reuters was cited as reporting that two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, were preparing to sail through the strait and were docked near the UAE’s Sharjah port, based on ship-tracking data.

Deliveries to India: confirmed cargoes and ports

India welcomed the arrival of three crude oil tankers at its ports that travelled through the Strait of Hormuz, with two more vessels scheduled to arrive in the coming days, according to the provided material. It also said three Indian-flagged vessels had completed their journey through the strait in recent days, with the latest arrival being the Indian-flagged tanker Jag Laadki, docked at Mundra port in Gujarat on a Wednesday.

Jag Laadki carried around 80,886 metric tonnes of crude oil sourced from the UAE. Earlier, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi reached India’s shore and together transported approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG. These movements were described as successful transits that came after Iran allowed Indian-flagged vessels to pass through the strait following diplomatic engagements.

Official stance: focus on “safe and unhindered movement”

The external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasised the need for “safe and unhindered movement” of Indian vessels, according to the provided material. It also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is in discussions with global leaders to secure safe passage for Indian ships in the Gulf.

These statements frame the issue as both a shipping and diplomacy challenge. For India, ensuring predictable maritime access is central to maintaining energy supply lines, especially during periods when global freight risks rise.

Key facts at a glance

Market impact and what investors track next

The reports link the slowdown in Hormuz shipping to higher global crude prices and supply concerns, reflecting the chokepoint’s importance to physical oil flows. For India, the immediate impact is operational: refinery feedstock scheduling and LPG supply continuity depend on timely arrivals, especially when alternative routes are limited.

Investors and industry participants typically watch for clarity on approvals and the consistency of passage permissions. The article material repeatedly notes uncertainty on timing and volumes, and the need for clearances from multiple parties. Near-term focus remains on whether planned loadings proceed after India’s final government approval and whether movements continue on a predictable basis.

Conclusion

India’s reported plan to send tankers through the Strait of Hormuz is aimed at securing crude and energy cargoes from Middle Eastern suppliers despite ongoing conflict-related disruptions. Bloomberg reported that the plan is finalised but awaits final government approval, while SCI is ready to resume Persian Gulf operations pending Indian Navy clearance and refinery orders. Recent transits and arrivals, including crude delivered to Mundra and LPG cargoes reaching India, suggest selective movement is happening alongside continued risk. The next concrete milestone is India’s final approval for the plan, followed by operational clearances and confirmed loading schedules.