India-Bound oil tanker Nissos Keros safely crosses Strait of Hormuz
An India-bound oil tanker, Nissos Keros, has successfully crossed the strategically important Strait of Hormuz and is now en route to Visakhapatnam, with expected arrival on June 3.
The vessel, which departed from Sharjah on May 21, was tracked moving through the northern Arabian Sea off India’s west coast. The safe passage of the tanker comes at a time of heightened geopolitical tension in the region, where concerns over maritime security and energy supply routes remain high.
Iran’s state media reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy facilitated the passage of 23 commercial vessels through the strait within a 24-hour period, amid ongoing discussions over proposed transit regulations and fees. The IRGC is part of Iran’s military structure and plays a key role in securing maritime routes in the region.
Iran has suggested the creation of a new authority to regulate shipping traffic through the waterway, a move that has raised concerns among global shipping stakeholders. International observers, including the United Nations, maintain that imposing transit fees in international waters violates maritime norms.
The United States, under President Donald Trump, has reiterated calls for free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, stressing the importance of keeping the vital energy corridor open. The strait is one of the world’s most critical oil transit routes, handling nearly 20% of global crude oil and gas shipments.
Rising tensions in the region have led to concerns over potential disruptions in global energy supply chains, even as commercial vessels continue to navigate the waterway under tight monitoring.
