Long queues for LPG in India as public anger mounts over shortages

Long queues for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinders were seen across parts of India on Saturday (March 28), as supply shortages triggered public frustration.

Consumers said only a limited number of cylinders were being distributed, with many being turned away despite waiting for hours.

Two liquefied petroleum gas tankers, BW Elm and BW Tyr, are crossing the Strait of Hormuz bound for India, according to ship tracking data from LSEG and Kpler on Saturday.

The U.S.-Israeli war against Iran has all but halted shipping ​through the strait, but Iran said this week that "non-hostile vessels" may transit the waterway if ‌they coordinate with Iranian authorities.

The two India-flagged vessels have crossed the Gulf area and are in the eastern Strait of Hormuz, the data showed.

India is gradually moving its stranded LPG cargoes out from the strait, with four LPG tankers moved so far - Shivalik, Nanda Devi, Pine Gas, and Jag Vasant.

The country consumed 33.15 million metric tons of LPG, or cooking gas, last year, with imports accounting for about 60% of demand. About 90% of those imports came from the Middle East.

Production: Lisa Giles-Keddie/Reuters