Iran-Linked LPG Tanker Signals Indian Ownership While Transiting Strait of Hormuz

The liquefied petroleum gas carrier Tara Gas is currently navigating the Strait of Hormuz while broadcasting signals indicating Indian ownership for its crew and operators. This strategic move aims to ensure safe passage through waters controlled by Tehran, despite the vessel's history of transporting Iranian cargoes. Ship-tracking data reveals the tanker is fully laden with LPG and moving northeast from Dubai, passing Iran’s Larak Island along a Tehran-approved route. The vessel faces significant geopolitical risks, as it must also evade a US naval blockade in the Gulf of Oman, where American forces have recently redirected or disabled numerous ships. Previously, the Tara Gas delivered an Iranian LPG shipment to China in late February. Owned by UAE-based Global Gas Inc. and managed by Matrix Maritime Solutions FZE, the ship exemplifies the complex maneuvers employed by carriers to navigate conflicting sanctions and regional tensions. Governments including India, Thailand, and Malaysia have negotiated with Tehran to secure cargo releases, prompting some vessels to alter their declared affiliations to mitigate risks from both Iranian and US military pressures in the region.