India has begun loading liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) onto stranded empty vessels in the Persian Gulf, adopting an emergency strategy to ease a deepening domestic gas shortage triggered by disruptions in West Asia.
The move comes as shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz—a vital artery for global energy trade—has been severely impacted by ongoing geopolitical tensions, delaying cargo movement and trapping several Indian-flagged ships in the region.
Government officials said multiple idle or underutilised vessels are now being repurposed to transport LPG cargoes back to India, helping maximise available shipping capacity amid tight supply conditions. Several tankers have already been loaded and are expected to arrive at Indian ports in the coming days.
India, which imports a significant share of its LPG requirements—primarily from the Middle East—is particularly exposed to such disruptions. The current crisis has strained supply chains, forcing authorities to prioritise household consumption over industrial use.
The impact is already visible across parts of the country, with delays in new LPG connections, restrictions on additional cylinders, and rising prices affecting households and small businesses alike.
To mitigate the crisis, the government is also exploring alternative sourcing options, including supplies from the United States and Russia, while accelerating efforts to strengthen domestic gas infrastructure.
The use of stranded ships as makeshift carriers underscores the severity of the situation and highlights the vulnerability of India’s energy security to geopolitical flashpoints along critical maritime routes.