New Delhi (Gurpreet Singh): The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, categorically denied reports that Indian merchant vessels are being charged exorbitant fees for safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the ministry, dismissed claims of a $2 million levy as “baseless,” asserting that the strait is an international waterway governed by global conventions that guarantee the right of freedom of navigation. The clarification follows controversial remarks attributed to an Iranian lawmaker suggesting that vessels were being taxed amid the escalating military conflict in West Asia.
Providing an operational update, the government confirmed that the Indian maritime sector remains resilient despite the regional tensions. Two major Indian LPG carriers—Pine Gas and Jag Vasant—successfully transited the strait on Monday night and are currently en route to Indian ports. Jag Vasant, carrying over 47,600 metric tonnes of LPG, is scheduled to arrive at Kandla on March 26, while Pine Gas is expected to reach New Mangalore on March 27 with 45,000 metric tonnes of cargo. Six more LPG-laden tankers are expected to transit the region within the next three to four days, all of which are being closely monitored by the Directorate General of Shipping.
The government further reassured that all 540 Indian seafarers currently aboard 20 Indian-flagged vessels in the western Persian Gulf are safe, with no incidents reported in the last 24 hours. Domestic port operations across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh continue without disruption. To ease potential logistical pressures, Kamarajar Port has already granted an extended 40-day free storage period for Gulf-bound vehicles. The ministry continues to maintain 24/7 coordination with ship owners and Indian diplomatic missions to ensure that maritime trade remains uninterrupted as the security situation evolves.
