Shipping

Strait of Hormuz reopens, but Iran wants to control shipping routes

Ships are moving through the Strait of Hormuz again, yet Iran's opposition to UN-backed routes shows the conflict has shifted to control over maritime access

Three Indians missing after missile hit on commercial tanker off Oman

MEA says attacks on commercial shipping are a direct consequence of the ongoing regional conflict and calls for de-escalation and safe navigation

Iran announces new authority to regulate shipping, tolls through Hormuz

Iran's top security body said the newly formed Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) would regulate and administer transit operations in the Strait of Hormuz

At UN, India flags concerns over targeting of commercial ships in Hormuz

Targeting commercial shipping, endangering civilian crew and impeding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is "unacceptable", India's Permanent Representative to the UN Parvathaneni Harish has said, stressing that international law governing safe passage must be "fully respected". Harish's remarks at a special meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UNECOSOC) on safeguarding energy and supply flows came days after an India-flagged commercial vessel came under attack off the coast of Oman. Omani authorities rescued all 14 crew members of the vessel sailing from Somalia, but it was not immediately known who carried out the strike. In a post on X, Harish said that at the UNECOSOC meeting, he shared India's approach to the recent energy and fertiliser crisis caused by the West Asia conflict. "A combination of short-term and structural measures alongside international cooperation are essential to respond to the crisis," he said. "Reiterated that targeting of

India plans 62 new vessels with Rs 51,383 crore investment in FY27

India plans to add 62 vessels with Rs 51,383 crore investment this year to strengthen maritime capacity and ensure resilience amid global supply disruptions

Indonesia rules out levies for Malacca shipping, backs open sea lanes

The Strait of Malacca, which runs between Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, is one of the world's busiest shipping lanes and a strategic bottleneck for Asia

Iran fires on 3 ships in Strait of Hormuz as US blockade holds, talks stall

Iran fired on three ships in the Strait of Hormuz and seized two of them on Wednesday, intensifying its assault on shipping in the key waterway. The attacks came a day after US President Donald Trump extended a ceasefire while maintaining an American blockade of Iranian ports. The standoff between the US and Iran has effectively choked off nearly all exports through the strait - where 20% of the world's traded oil passes in peacetime - with no end in sight. Iranian media said the paramilitary Revolutionary Guard was bringing the two ships to Iran, marking a further escalation, though the White House said the seizures didn't violate ceasefire terms. The conflict has already sent gas prices skyrocketing far beyond the region and raised the cost of food and a wide array of other products. The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, nosed over $100 per barrel, marking a 35% increase from prewar levels, but stock markets still appear to be shrugging it off. The European Uni

Indian ports turning into logistics and industrial hubs: Shipping secy

India's ports are transforming from cargo gateways into integrated logistics and industrial hubs, supported by publicprivate partnerships and global best practices, Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Vijay Kumar, said on Wednesday. Addressing around 200 investors and industry stakeholders during a round-table held at the Singapore Maritime Week (SMW) 2026 here, Kumar pointed out, "India is steadily - and decisively - moving in the direction" to be in the best position to sustain growth, attract investment, and integrate into global value chains. He shared the growth reported by Indian ports, where capacity has been doubled, and the next frontier is to have world-class efficiency and transshipment. Cargo handling capacity has doubled since 201314, from 1,400 MTPA to 2,771 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), with a target of 3,500 MTPA by 2030 and 10,000 MTPA by 2047. In FY 202526, India's major ports handled over 915 million tonnes - the highest ever - registeri

Govt expands Russian marine insurers list as Iran war strains supply chains

India is relying on Russian oil to meet most of its demand using a temporary waiver as the US-Israeli war on Iran keeps the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed

Iran envoy says India ties strong amid Strait of Hormuz ship firing

He further added, "...We don't want this war. We want peace, and we hope that the other side will also pursue peace so that we can have a peaceful region"

PM Modi stresses need for secure shipping in call with Iran's President

PM Modi also condemned attacks on "critical infrastructure" in the region, which he said threaten regional stability and disrupt global supply chains

Govt says exports moving smoothly; 2,600 containers shipped to West Asia

Government says exports to West Asia continue smoothly amid crisis as LPG tanker reaches Mundra and two more vessels carrying crude oil and LPG are set to arrive

Why little was done to develop an alternative to the Strait of Hormuz

The narrow passageway out of the Persian Gulf is both vital - serving as the only gateway to the rest of the world for huge amounts of oil and natural gas - and extremely vulnerable to attacks

More small ships to West Asia from Apr 15 as freight rates jump 300%: FIEO

With exporters facing a surge in sea freight of up to 300 per cent due to the West Asia crisis, it has been decided to increase the number of small vessels operating between India and Gulf countries from April 15 to help clear consignments, FIEO director general Ajay Sahai said on Monday. In a meeting with the DG (Shipping), exporters flagged issues they are facing due to the crisis, triggered by the US and Israel joint attack on Iran, Sahai said. About 400 exporters participated in the meeting, as the crisis is impacting the movement of containers. "It has been decided to increase the number of Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers (NVOCCs) from April 15 between India and the Middle East countries," the director general of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) said. He said that the war has led to a significant jump in freight due to an additional contingency surcharge being imposed by foreign shippers. "The surcharge ranges between USD 1,500 and USD 4,000. There is

Iran war: How ships are avoiding being targeted in Strait of Hormuz

As attacks intensify around the Strait of Hormuz, several commercial ships are altering transponder signals to claim Chinese ownership or crew in an apparent attempt to avoid being targeted

3 Indian seafarers killed in West Asia; Shipping authority issues advisory

At least three Indian seafarers on board foreign-flagged vessels were killed and one was injured in the Middle East region, the Directorate General of Shipping said on Tuesday as it issued an advisory for maritime operators to assess voyage-specific risks, amid escalated military actions involving the US, Israel and Iran that threaten disruptions of major trade routes. "There have been four reported incidents involving Indian seafarers in the region, resulting in three casualties and one injured seafarer, all of whom were serving on board foreign-flagged vessels," the Directorate General of Shipping said. On Tuesday, American and Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Iran since killing its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday. Tehran and its allies have hit back against Israel, neighbouring Gulf states, and targets critical to the world's production of oil and natural gas. President Donald Trump on Monday said the US has "the capability to go far longer" than its ...

Ships avoid Hormuz as Iran raises threats and conflict in West Asia spreads

The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial chokepoint for energy markets because a fifth of the world's seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through each day

Global shipping companies make a beeline to reflag vessels in India

The move is part of a larger strategy discussed by global companies with PM Narendra Modi to base their tonnage in India

India's tryst with shipbuilding: Govt rolls out ₹70,000 crore revival plan

India and Brazil are among countries facing the steepest tariffs imposed by the US

US, China to roll out tit-for-tat port fees on shipping amid trade tensions

Early this year, Trump's administration announced plans to levy the fees on China-linked ships to loosen that country's grip on the global maritime industry and bolster US shipbuilding