The Strait of Hormuz is a crucial passage linking oil and gas producers in the Persian Gulf to global markets. (AI image)

India’s immediate LPG crisis seems to be easing with tankers coming in and domestic production stepped up to meet needs. Two more Indian-flagged ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are currently transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to ship-tracking data, following a route earlier used by vessels cleared by Iran that stays close to its coastline.The vessels, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, both classified as very large gas carriers, moved northward from the UAE coast toward Iran’s Qeshm and Larak islands early on Monday, as per the data quoted in a Bloomberg report.The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial passage linking oil and gas producers in the Persian Gulf to global markets, has been largely inaccessible since US and Israeli strikes began in late February. Since then, Iran has significantly restricted maritime traffic through a combination of attacks and warnings. Only a limited number of vessels, mainly those associated with Iran, China, and a few other countries including India that have negotiated safe passage, have been able to pass through.

Two More LPG Ships Headed to India

Instead of indicating a destination, both ships broadcast their Indian identity through transponders, a precaution also adopted by other vessels navigating the route. They are likely headed for India, which is grappling with an LPG supply disruption and has been engaging with Tehran to secure fuel supplies primarily used for cooking.Also Read | LPG crisis: Argentina emerges as key alternative supplier; shipments more than double in just first three months of 2026Earlier this month, two other Indian-flagged LPG carriers successfully completed the same passage.Crossing the Strait of Hormuz typically takes up to 14 hours. If Jag Vasant and Pine Gas maintain their current course without disruption, they are expected to enter the Gulf of Oman by Monday evening.Several vessels that have successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz have followed a route hugging the Iranian coastline, indicating the presence of a traffic management system enforced by Tehran. Under normal conditions, ships exiting the Gulf would typically navigate closer to Oman. However, a vessel that attempted this conventional path earlier in the month was attacked.India’s two most recent LPG carriers were allowed safe passage after reaching an arrangement with Iran, and one of the tankers was escorted by the Iranian Navy, a senior officer on board told Bloomberg News.Ship-tracking data shows that Jag Vasant entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on February 26 and loaded LPG from Kuwait just hours before hostilities began on February 28, after which it remained stranded. Pine Gas also entered the Gulf on the same day and took on its full cargo from Ruwais in the UAE.The movement of these two vessels, along with the earlier pair, is expected to provide some relief amid shortages. However, according to Shiv Samrat Kapur, managing director at the India arm of Sentosa Shipbrokers, the combined cargo of all four ships would meet only two to three days of India’s consumption.Also Read | Securing LPG, LNG, crude oil: India plans evacuation for ships near Strait of Hormuz – here’s what’s being considered“Iran is using the Strait as a tool of maritime diplomacy, forcing nations to choose between Western alignment and energy stability,” he said. “The transits have proven India’s capability to maintain neutral relationships during these times of geopolitical uncertainty.”In parallel, India has instructed ports to give priority to LPG carriers. Last week, the Deendayal Port Authority, commonly known as Kandla port, issued a notice directing agents to prioritise berthing for LPG vessels, according to a document reviewed by Bloomberg News. This followed a March 10 directive from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways aimed at ensuring uninterrupted LPG supply to households across the country.

The roar of the crowd, the tension of a final-over thriller, and the electric atmosphere of a packed stadium are no longer luxuries reserved for those in metro hubs. As the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) prepares for its grand opening on March 28, 2026, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially unveiled the first phase of its Fan Park schedule.

Designed to democratize the live cricket experience, the 2026 Fan Park initiative will kick off across 15 cities in 11 states during the first three weekends of the tournament. This phase is strategically aligned with the league’s opening matches, including the highly anticipated curtain-raiser between the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

IPL Fan Park 2026: Venues and schedule details

The Fan Park rollout is meticulously planned to ensure regional representation across the North, South, East, and West zones. For residents in cities like Rohtak, Bhopal, and Nizamabad, these parks serve as a community-driven alternative to the stadium, free of cost and full of fervour.

The schedule for the first three weeks is as follows:

Also READ: IPL 2026: Here’s how to book tickets for Mumbai Indians’ home matches

An immersive match-day experience initiative by BCCI

Since its inception in 2015, the Fan Park concept has evolved from a simple big screen event into a full-scale cricket carnival. The 2026 edition promises to be the most interactive yet. Families can expect dedicated kids’ play zones and food courts offering local delicacies, while die-hard enthusiasts can test their skills in virtual batting cages and bowling nets.

To capture the digital-first spirit of modern fans, the BCCI has integrated 360° photo booths and cheer-o-meters to measure the crowd’s decibel levels during boundary-hitting moments. This year’s phased announcement, necessitated by the logistical overlap with upcoming State Assembly elections, ensures that security and fan comfort remain the top priorities. By bringing the stadium feel to the backyards of Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, the IPL continues to prove why it is more than just a tournament; it is a nationwide festival.

Also READ: ‘Before the legacy, there were these two’: CSK inducts Suresh Raina and Matthew Hayden into inaugural Hall of Fame

The ongoing crisis in the Middle East continues to rattle financial markets worldwide, sending shockwaves to oil baskets, stock markets and currencies. Rupee is no stranger to the impact! Over the past one year, the currency has continuously slipped to its record lows, first hitting 90 and then eventually beyond the 93 per US dollar mark, inching close to the psychological 94 levels. As rupee continues to drift, questions are mounting over its next move: will it stabilise or extend its slide further? Traders are closely tracking the rising volatility, with the 94-per-dollar level now in sharp focus as the US and Iran tensions continue to boil, fueling fears over potential disruptions to energy supplies.The week earlier, on Friday, the currency had settled at a record closing low of 93.71 per US dollar, and market participants expect its next move to be largely influenced by crude oil prices, developments around the Strait of Hormuz, and overall risk sentiment in global markets. Attention is also on the Reserve Bank of India for any steps it may take to smooth volatility when trading resumes.The latest uncertainty stems from heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with warnings and counter-warnings raising fears of disruption to global oil flows through the critical West Asia shipping route. Any escalation could further tighten supply conditions and weigh on the rupee.According to analysts cited by ET, the currency’s breakdown below the 93.50 level signals continued weakness, with near-term direction hinging on external triggers like oil prices. For instance, if crude oil sustains above the $100 per barrel mark, rupee could drift toward the 94–95 range in the coming sessions.A treasury official at a private sector bank said the central bank is likely to remain active at these levels to curb excessive volatility, although the outlook remains highly fluid. He noted that in the absence of escalation, rupee could see temporary support, but renewed tensions may push it beyond the 94 mark.Geopolitical developments have been dominating sentiment, particularly statements from US President Donald Trump, who has warned Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for global energy shipments. Such developments have added to uncertainty in currency and commodity markets alike.According to market experts, rupee’s trajectory is now closely tied to movements in global crude benchmarks. With Brent crude trading near elevated levels, import costs for India could rise, adding further pressure on the current account and the currency.Treasury heads said intermittent intervention from the central bank could help anchor the rupee in the short term, but sustained pressure is likely if oil prices remain elevated and geopolitical tensions continue to escalate.Overall, traders say the coming sessions will be crucial in determining whether the rupee stabilises near current levels or weakens further toward the 94–95 range, depending on global developments and energy market dynamics.

NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR), a body under the Union commerce ministry, has recommended the imposition of anti-dumping duties on Chinese viscose rayon filament yarn (above 75 deniers)—a widely used man-made textile fibre, according to a government notification issued on Monday.The proposed duties include $386 per metric tonne for Xinxiang Chemical Fibre Co Ltd, $667 for Jilin Chemical Fiber Co., and $518 for Yibin Hiest Fibre Limited Corporation and related exporters. Other producers would face a duty of $1,071 per metric tonne, the notification stated.The move comes days after the DGTR initiated an anti-dumping investigation into imports of ethyl chloroformate from China. The probe followed a complaint by domestic manufacturer Paushak, which alleged that the chemical was being sold in India at “unfairly low prices,” impacting local industry.Also Read: India opens anti-dumping probe into ethyl chloroformate imports from ChinaThe DGTR’s findings indicated that dumped imports from China had risen significantly, undercutting domestic prices and causing material injury to Indian producers.The duties, if approved by the Ministry of Finance, will be imposed on yarn imports for a period of five years.Paushak’s complaintIn its complaint, Paushak—a Gujarat-based company that describes itself as India’s largest specialty phosgene-based chemical manufacturer—alleged that imports from China had caused “material injury” to domestic producers.The firm also claimed to be the country’s sole producer of ethyl chloroformate, accounting for India’s entire output of the chemical.The DGTR said it would examine whether the product was being dumped in the Indian market and whether anti-dumping duties were necessary to offset the alleged injury to the domestic industry.Ethyl chloroformateEthyl chloroformate is an organic chemical intermediate widely used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals and agrochemicals. Given its importance to these sectors, any anti-dumping duty could have wider downstream implications.If the DGTR’s recommendations are approved, they could raise input costs for drugmakers and agrochemical firms, even as they provide protection to domestic producers.The body’s preliminary assessment indicated that the dumping margin was above the de minimis threshold, suggesting significant price undercutting by Chinese exporters—one of the key factors examined in anti-dumping cases.The investigation covered the period from October 2024 to September 2025.(With Reuters inputs)