Two India-Bound LPG Tankers Successfully Cross Hormuz Using “Dark Mode”

Two LPG tankers carrying cooking fuel supplies for India have reportedly managed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz while temporarily switching off their tracking systems, as more commercial vessels adopt “dark mode” operations amid ongoing regional tensions.

According to vessel tracking data, the Marshall Islands-flagged LPG tanker Symi recently appeared in the Gulf of Oman and is currently heading toward Kandla port in western India.

The vessel had originally departed from Ras Laffan in Qatar on March 6 but remained delayed for an extended period as hundreds of ships became stranded inside the Persian Gulf following disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz.

Reports indicate that the tanker resumed broadcasting its location only after safely entering the Gulf of Oman, suggesting its tracking signals had been switched off during part of the transit route.

Another LPG carrier, the Vietnam-flagged NV Sunshine, also reportedly crossed the Strait while limiting visibility of its movements. The vessel is likewise heading toward India after completing the transit.

The successful movement of these ships highlights a gradual increase in commercial traffic exiting the Strait of Hormuz despite continued uncertainty surrounding US-Iran negotiations and regional security concerns.

India remains highly dependent on LPG imports routed through Hormuz, with the shipping corridor previously accounting for nearly 90% of the country’s LPG import flows before the conflict disrupted normal trade routes.

Industry reports suggest an increasing number of vessels are now using “dark mode” practices by temporarily disabling positioning systems while navigating near Hormuz to reduce the risk of detection or targeting during the ongoing crisis.

Last week, several crude oil supertankers carrying Iraqi and Emirati cargoes were also reported to have crossed the Strait with tracking systems turned off as shipping companies continue adjusting operations to navigate the unstable regional environment.

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