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An Indian-flagged LPG tanker carrying liquefied petroleum gas from Qatar safely reached Mundra Port in Gujarat on Monday after passing through the Strait
of Hormuz. The tanker, Shivalik, was carrying about 45,000 metric tons of LPG. Its arrival comes amid concerns over the safety of fuel shipments moving through the sensitive maritime route. Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said earlier that the vessel had successfully moved into the open sea after transiting the Strait of Hormuz. He said two Indian-flagged LPG carriers — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — were transporting about 92,700 metric tons of LPG to India. Both vessels are owned by the state-run Shipping Corporation of India.
Shivalik reached Mundra Port at around 5 p.m., while the second tanker, Nanda Devi, is expected to arrive at Kandla Port in Gujarat early Tuesday.
Sinha also said that all Indian seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf region are safe and there have been no reports of any untoward incidents involving them.
Government data shows that 22 Indian-flagged vessels are currently located west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf region, carrying a total of 611 seafarers.
Another vessel, Jag Laadki, carrying nearly 81,000 tons of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, is also en route to Mundra Port. Officials said the vessel and all Indian crew members on board are safe.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important shipping routes, with nearly 20% of global oil and gas exports passing through it.
With tensions continuing in the region, authorities are closely monitoring the movement of ships and ensuring the safety of Indian vessels and crews operating in the area.
“Major ports across the country are closely monitoring vessel movements and cargo operations and providing support to shipping lines and cargo stakeholders, including concessions in anchorage, berth hire and storage charges,” the ministry said in earlier briefing.
