India Prioritizes Return of Stranded Gulf Vessels Amid Supply Disruptions
India is focusing on retrieving its ships stranded in the Gulf before dispatching more vessels to load fuel, as stated by Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary at India's ministry of ports, shipping, and waterways. The conflict in the Strait of Hormuz, initiated by U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran, has led to significant disruptions in India's cooking gas supply, with shipments largely halted. India, which previously sourced over 40% of its crude oil imports and about 90% of its LPG from the Middle East through the Strait, is now facing one of its worst supply disruptions in decades. Thirteen Indian-flagged vessels and one Indian-owned vessel remain stuck on the west side of the Strait, while thirteen vessels loaded with energy cargoes have managed to transit out since the conflict began. 
