Two Indian Ships Among 45 Blacklisted by Iran Over Strait of Hormuz ‘Violations’

New Delhi: Two vessels owned and operated by India-based entities have been included in a list of 45 “non-compliant” ships issued by Iran over alleged violations of rules governing passage through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

The two Indian-linked vessels named on the list are the LNG tanker Disha and the bulk carrier Maha Roos, according to an analysis of ownership and management records.

The list was issued by Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) on Sunday.

The development comes amid heightened attention around shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime routes for the movement of oil and other energy supplies.

Two Indian vessels on Iran’s list

According to the ownership and management analysis, the two vessels linked to India are Disha and Maha Roos.

Disha is a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, while Maha Roos is a bulk carrier.

The two ships are among 45 vessels that Iran has classified as “non-compliant” over alleged violations of conditions imposed by Tehran for vessels seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

The list includes vessels connected to companies and entities from several countries.

Ships linked to several countries

The vessels named by the PGSA are not limited to one country's shipping industry.

Apart from India, ships linked to entities based in countries including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Greece, the Netherlands, South Korea, Singapore and Norway feature on the list.

A significant number of the vessels are linked to UAE-based entities.

Some are associated with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) group.

The presence of vessels from multiple countries highlights the international significance of the Strait of Hormuz and the potential impact of restrictions placed on commercial shipping passing through the waterway.

Why the Strait of Hormuz matters

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most strategically important maritime passages in the world.

It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, providing a critical route for energy shipments from major oil and gas-producing countries in the Gulf.

Large quantities of crude oil, petroleum products and LNG move through the region.

Any disruption to shipping through the strait can therefore have consequences far beyond the countries immediately surrounding the waterway.

It can affect shipping companies, energy markets and countries that depend heavily on imported oil and gas.

Iran’s ‘non-compliant’ designation

Iran's Persian Gulf Strait Authority has described the 45 vessels as “non-compliant”.

The designation relates to alleged violations of conditions set by Tehran for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The move demonstrates that Iran is seeking to enforce its own requirements over shipping activity through the strategically sensitive waterway.

For shipping companies, such designations can create uncertainty because vessels may have to consider additional regulatory and operational requirements when planning routes through the region.

Indian shipping interests

The inclusion of Disha and Maha Roos is particularly significant for India because the country is heavily dependent on imported energy.

India imports a substantial share of its crude oil and natural gas requirements, making maritime energy routes particularly important for the country's energy security.

The presence of an Indian-linked LNG tanker on the Iranian list is also noteworthy because LNG shipments are an important component of global energy trade.

Any restrictions affecting LNG shipping routes could potentially increase logistical complexity for companies operating in the sector.

Some listed ships have links to India

The two Indian vessels are not the only ships on the list with connections to India.

According to the analysis, some of the other vessels have previously transported cargo to India, particularly energy-related cargo.

This means the potential impact of the Iranian list could extend beyond vessels directly owned or operated by Indian entities.

Ships transporting energy cargo to India could also face additional scrutiny or operational complications depending on how Iran enforces the restrictions.

UAE-linked vessels dominate the list

A notable feature of the list is the number of vessels linked to UAE-based entities.

Several are associated with companies connected to ADNOC, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company.

The UAE is a major player in the global energy market, and its commercial shipping links make the Strait of Hormuz particularly important for its exports and imports.

The inclusion of UAE-linked vessels therefore adds another dimension to the development.

Why the development matters for global energy trade

The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow but vital maritime corridor.

Because major energy producers in the Gulf depend on the route to reach international markets, restrictions affecting commercial vessels can have consequences for global energy supply chains.

Even when ships are not physically prevented from passing through the strait, additional regulatory requirements or uncertainty can increase operational risks.

Shipping companies may need to reassess routes, insurance arrangements, scheduling and compliance procedures.

These considerations can ultimately influence transportation costs.

Potential implications for India

For India, the development is important because of the country's reliance on energy imports from the Middle East.

Indian companies and consumers are connected to the global energy market through international shipping networks.

Any sustained disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could potentially affect freight costs and energy prices.

However, the available information on the 45-vessel list does not by itself establish that Indian energy supplies have been disrupted.

The current development concerns the designation of specific vessels as “non-compliant” by the Iranian authority.

A sensitive maritime route

The Strait of Hormuz has long been an area of geopolitical sensitivity.

Its geographical position means that several major energy-producing countries depend on the waterway, while international shipping companies use it to transport cargo to markets around the world.

This makes maritime activity in the strait closely watched by governments, shipping companies and energy traders.

The latest Iranian blacklist adds another layer of complexity for commercial operators.

What happens next

The key question will be how Iran implements the restrictions against the 45 vessels.

For the two Indian-linked ships, the immediate significance will depend on whether the designation affects their ability to transit the Strait of Hormuz and whether additional compliance requirements are imposed.

The wider shipping industry will also be watching developments closely, particularly companies transporting energy cargo through the region.

For India, maintaining reliable access to energy supplies remains a major strategic priority.

Any prolonged disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz could therefore become an important issue for the country's energy and maritime sectors.

For now, the Iranian list has brought renewed attention to the risks faced by commercial vessels operating through one of the world's most important energy corridors.