State-run Indian Oil Corporation has reportedly received no bids for three vessel charter tenders issued to transport crude oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cargoes from ports located within the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting continued caution among shipowners despite the recent easing of geopolitical tensions in the region.
According to trade sources, Indian Oil had sought to charter a Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC), a Suezmax tanker, and a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) for loading cargoes from key Gulf export terminals. However, vessel owners refrained from participating, citing uncertainty over navigation risks and insurance conditions in the strategically important waterway.
A shipbroker familiar with the market said that many owners remain in a “wait-and-watch” mode, preferring greater clarity on security arrangements and operating conditions before committing vessels to the region.
The tenders included:
A VLGC to load around 45,000 tonnes of LPG between June 30 and July 4 from Ras Laffan Port (Qatar), Mina Al Ahmadi (Kuwait), or Ruwais (UAE).
A VLCC to lift crude oil from Mina Al Ahmadi between June 28 and 29.
A Suezmax tanker to load crude from Ras Al Khafji between June 29 and 30 for delivery to India’s west coast.
Indian refiners, including Indian Oil, largely procure Middle Eastern crude oil and LPG on a free-on-board (FOB) basis, making vessel chartering a critical component of their supply chain.
The absence of bids underscores the lingering impact of recent tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant share of global oil and LPG exports passes, and signals that shipping markets remain cautious despite diplomatic efforts to stabilize the region.