Media: India’s US LPG imports hit record high in June

India’s imports of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the United States are expected to exceed 1 million metric tons in June, reaching a record high as the country increases purchases from alternative suppliers amid disruptions to Middle Eastern energy shipments, industry sources told Reuters.

Before the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz, India sourced around 90% of its LPG imports from Middle Eastern producers. The country typically imports about 2 million tons of LPG per month.

Government data showed that LPG imports, widely used as cooking fuel in Indian households, fell to approximately 696,000 tons in April following disruptions linked to the closure of the strategic waterway. Imports later recovered to about 1.15 million tons in May.

Prior to the supply disruption, New Delhi had planned to increase U.S. LPG purchases to around 10% of total imports as part of broader efforts to rebalance trade with Washington.

However, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz accelerated purchases from the United States, with Indian refiners reportedly securing unusually large spot cargoes despite higher premiums in an effort to ensure uninterrupted domestic fuel supplies.

According to sources at Indian refining companies, India is expected to receive between 1.1 million and 1.2 million tons of U.S. LPG during June.

At the same time, supplies from the United Arab Emirates have begun to recover, with imports estimated at between 300,000 and 400,000 tons this month.

Industry sources said the UAE has been offering LPG cargoes loaded from Oman’s Sohar port at premiums of around $100 per ton above Saudi Contract Prices (CP). They added that the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) has deployed several vessels to transport LPG to Sohar for onward shipment.

By Sabina Mammadli