Image for representation purposes only Merchant vessels travelling to and from India accounted for one of the largest shares of applications to use Iran-designated routes through the Strait of Hormuz in the three weeks following the June 17 U.S.-Iran peace memorandum of understanding (MoU), according to data released by Tehran. The figures show India continues to rely heavily on the Strait of Hormuz, even as shipping through the waterway remains below pre-conflict levels following renewed tensions between Iran and the United States. The Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), set up by Iran to regulate vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz, said more than 200 non-Iranian ships applied for passage permits and insurance coverage during the three weeks after the June 17 agreement. Among vessels leaving the Persian Gulf, India-bound ships accounted for 20% of transit requests, second only to China at 21%. The rest of Asia made up 29% of outbound requests, while intra-Persian Gulf movements accounted for 22%. The remaining 8% were destined for the rest of the world. For ships entering the Persian Gulf, India was the largest country of origin, accounting for 21% of transit requests. China followed with 19%, while other Asian countries represented 20%. Intra-regional traffic made up 24% of requests and the rest of the world accounted for 16%. The PGSA did not disclose the total number of transit requests it received or provide absolute figures. The data also excludes vessels that crossed, or attempted to cross, the Strait of Hormuz without seeking permission from Tehran. India relies heavily on the route for energy imports. Around 40% of its crude oil imports, 60% of its liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and about 90% of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports come from West Asia through the strait. Overall, India imports more than 88% of its crude oil, about 60% of its LPG and roughly half of its natural gas, which is imported as LNG. According to the PGSA, 53%