Mumbai, March 12 2026 (Agencies) – The first tanker carrying crude oil for India after the outbreak of the recent Middle East conflict has safely arrived at Mumbai Port, signaling continued movement of energy supplies through the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
The Liberian-flagged tanker Shenlong, a Suezmax-class vessel transporting crude oil from Saudi Arabia, docked at the port on Wednesday after successfully navigating the narrow maritime corridor that has drawn global attention since tensions escalated in the region involving Iran.
According to maritime tracking reports, the tanker departed from Saudi Arabia’s Ras Tanura port on March 1 and later passed through the Strait of Hormuz on March 8. The route is considered one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with a significant share of global oil shipments passing through it.
The vessel is carrying approximately 135,335 metric tonnes of crude oil. Port authorities indicated that the unloading process is expected to take around 36 hours before the cargo is transferred to domestic refineries.
The successful arrival of the tanker is seen as a positive signal for international energy markets, which have been closely monitoring shipping activity in the Gulf region since hostilities intensified. The Strait of Hormuz remains a crucial corridor for global oil trade, with nearly 20 percent of the world’s petroleum supplies transported through the passage.
Despite heightened geopolitical tensions, the continued movement of oil tankers through the strait indicates that shipping lanes remain operational, although analysts warn that any escalation could disrupt supplies and push global energy prices higher.