Jag Vikram, First Indian LPG Vessel Crosses Hormuz Post Ceasefire, Docks in Kandla

The Indian-flagged LPG vessel, 'Jag Vikram', reached Gujarat's Kandla port on Tuesday (April 14) night. The vessel carrying 20,400 metric tonnes of liquified petroleum gas (LPG) crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday (April 11). The transit marks a breakthrough for New Delhi, as it is the first Indian ship to navigate the strategic corridor after the announcement of a 14-day ceasefire between the US and Iran. So far, eight India-bound vessels reached different ports of the country since the start of the Iran war."Indian flagged LPG vessel Jag Vikram, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11, is likely to reach Kandla on April 14. The vessel is carrying 20,400 metric tonnes of LPG, and there are 24 seafarers on board," said Additional

Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Mukesh Mangal.Energy crisis loomed over India after Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key waterway where 20 per cent of the world's crude oil and liquified natural gas (LNG) pass through. The blockade was imposed in the strait following airstrikes by the United States and Israel on Tehran on February 28. It triggered an energy crisis across the region.Notably, India imports nearly 90 per cent of its LPG requirement from the Gulf nations, and most of these imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. India is also among a few countries that purchase Iranian oil during the war.Also Read: Iran War Fallout: India Faces Rs 75,000 Crore Risk For the unversed, Iran reportedly imposed a toll tax on ships crossing the strait. However, India is the only country that did not pay any toll tax. It was also confirmed by the Iranian envoy in New Delhi. Petrol Ministry On LPG Supply:The Petroleum Ministry on Friday said the country had enough LPG and fuel stock, assuring the citizens of no dryout and that the supply of cooking gas remains normal. The government informed us that 98 per cent of the LPG bookings are now taking place online while the deliveries are being facilitated via OTPs (one-time passwords). The ministry further informed all the distributors of cooking gas and petrol pumps that they have adequate stocks of energy, adding that the supply also remains normal with a priority focus on domestic consumption.US Naval Blockade:The United States has also blocked the Strait of Hormuz for ships leaving and entering Iranian ports. The US enforced the blockade of the strait on Monday, days after Islamabad peace talks with Iran collapsed.

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Notably, the Iranian blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has already triggered an energy crisis in the countries of the nation. Now the US blockade could further aggravate it. The US military's Central Command (CENTCOM) had said that the blockade did not apply to ships to and from non-Iranian ports.