Indian LPG Carriers Stranded; Missile Scare Near Qatar Coast

Ras Laffan (Qatar): Even as reports claim normalcy in the Strait of Hormuz, Indian LPG carriers remain stranded in the Persian Gulf, with seafarers describing a tense and uncertain situation on the ground.

Ashok Kumar Dixit, a Chief Officer aboard an LPG vessel anchored at Ras Laffan anchorage, said around 20 LPG carriers, including his own, are still awaiting clearance to transit through the Strait. The vessel is positioned about 12 nautical miles off the coast of Qatar.

While two LPG vessels of the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) reportedly exited the region nearly a week ago, no further movement has been observed. Crew members across vessels are yet to receive clear communication or updates regarding safe passage from Indian authorities.

Adding to the tension, a missile attack was witnessed near the Ras Laffan LNG terminal in the early hours of March 19, 2026. According to Dixit, the incident occurred around 0300 hours (Qatar time), approximately 12 nautical miles from his vessel. He said multiple missiles were intercepted by Qatar’s defense systems, while debris fell close to anchored ships.

“The impact caused noticeable vibrations across nearby vessels. It was a very frightening situation,” he said, describing the incident as it unfolded in real time from the anchorage.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for global energy supplies, but the continued presence of stranded vessels and recent security incidents raise concerns over the actual safety and accessibility of the passage for Indian ships.