Second LPG tanker reaches India safely

India received a significant boost to its energy supplies as the second Indian-flagged LPG tanker, Nanda Devi, safely reached Kandla port in Gujarat early Tuesday. This follows the arrival of the first tanker, Shivalik, at Mundra port on Monday, highlighting successful navigation through the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz.

The two vessels together carried about 92,712 tonnes of LPG, equivalent to nearly a day’s cooking gas requirement in the country. Officials said discharge operations have begun, with Nanda Devi currently undertaking ship-to-ship transfer to ensure faster distribution.

The development comes amid heightened tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route disrupted due to the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Despite the volatile situation, the government has confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the region are safe, with no reported incidents in the past 24 hours.

So far, four Indian-flagged vessels have successfully crossed the war zone. However, 22 ships carrying 611 Indian crew members remain stranded in the western Gulf region. Authorities are maintaining close coordination with ship owners, agencies, and Indian missions abroad to ensure their safe passage.

In addition, a crude oil tanker carrying around 80,800 tonnes of Murban crude is expected to arrive in India shortly, while another vessel has already crossed the strait safely and is heading towards Africa.

India relies heavily on the Strait of Hormuz for energy imports, sourcing a majority of its crude oil and a substantial share of LPG and natural gas through the route, making the situation strategically critical for the country’s energy security.