Indian LPG Tanker Navigates Mined Strait of Hormuz via Iranian-Guided "Secret" Channel

The Indian tanker Pine Gas successfully navigated a mined Strait of Hormuz using an unusual IRGC-guided route, securing vital energy supplies for millions.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 1, 2026, 4:28 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

A Perilous Transit Under Fire

The journey of the Pine Gas offers a harrowing look at the logistical nightmares created by the ongoing U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran. After loading cargo at the UAE’s Ruwais port just hours before major hostilities commenced on February 28, the vessel and its 27-man Indian crew were stranded for nearly three weeks. Chief Officer Sohan Lal reported daily sightings of missiles and drones traversing the night sky while the ship sat in limbo. The breakthrough finally came on March 23, when the vessel was cleared to move—not through the traditional, heavily mined shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz, but through a narrow, unconventional channel north of Larak Island.

Strategic Rationale and the "Friendly Nation" Policy

The escape was made possible by a selective "friendly nations" policy implemented by Tehran. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has reportedly allowed passage for vessels from nations it deems diplomatically favorable, including India, China, Russia, Iraq, and Pakistan. This strategic concession allows Iran to maintain critical economic lifelines with major regional partners while simultaneously blockading "hostile" western shipping. For India, this relationship is vital; despite the geopolitical tightrope New Delhi must walk, the successful transit of the Pine Gas is a significant victory for its energy security strategy during a period of extreme regional volatility.

Naval Coordination and Crew Consent

The operation was a high-stakes collaboration between civilian shipping and military oversight. Mumbai-based Seven Islands Shipping and Indian authorities mandated that the transit would only proceed with the unanimous consent of every crew member on board. Once the "yes" was secured, the Indian Navy took an active role, guiding the ship through the IRGC-recommended channel to avoid naval mines. Upon reaching the Gulf of Oman, the Pine Gas was met by four Indian warships, which provided a continuous 20-hour armed escort into the Arabian Sea, ensuring the vessel was protected from potential secondary strikes or hijackings.