Indian vessel MT Jag Vasant, carrying about 47,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), arrived at the port in Vadinar, Gujarat on Saturday after passing through the war-torn Strait of Hormuz amid tensions in West Asia.
Earlier, sources told ANI that two more merchant vessels carrying petroleum products for India crossed the Strait of Hormuz and Indian Navy warships were on standby to provide support. More vessels are expected to follow soon.
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Even Vasant reaches Gujarat
According to a report, a consignment of 47,000 metric tonnes of LPG arrived at DPA Kandla’s Vadinar terminal in Jamnagar, Gujarat on Saturday.
The vessel, MT Jag Vasant, is ready to transfer its cargo to another ship at berth through a Ship-to-Ship (STS) operation, ANI reported.
Indian Navy warships were on standby to provide support to the merchant vessels, sources told ANI.
On March 24, ANI reported that the LPG tankers Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, sailing close to each other, took off from the Persian Gulf. They reportedly carried roughly a day’s supply of natural gas for cooking.
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The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has confirmed that two tankers carrying more than 92,000 tonnes of LPG have passed through Hormuz and are expected to arrive at ports in India between March 26 and 28.
The Pine Gas, which loaded in UAE waters, passed through the strait, followed by the Jag Vasant carrying LPG from Kuwait, according to ship tracking data from the MarineTraffic platform, according to Reuters.
Iran allows 5 countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open only to selected countries, even as Tehran continues military operations in the Persian Gulf.
India, China, Russia, Iraq and Pakistan have been allowed through, while others face restrictions, signaling a significant escalation of tensions over one of the world’s most critical energy routes.
“We have allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz to friendly nations including China, Russia, India, Iraq and Pakistan,” Araghchi said.
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“20 ships flying the Indian flag”
Speaking at a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Rajesh Kumar Sinha said authorities are closely monitoring the situation and maintaining coordination with various stakeholders.
“There have been no reports of any incident involving Indian-flagged ships or Indian sailors in the Gulf region in the last 24 hours. All are safe,” Sinha said.
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He said Indian ships operating in the Persian Gulf are also safe.
“There are 20 Indian-flagged ships with about 540 Indians on board in the Persian Gulf and they are also safe,” he said.
Sinha further added that the Directorate General of Shipping is actively responding to queries and concerns through its communication centre.
“In the last 24 hours, DG Shipping’s 24-hour communication center has received 98 calls and 335 emails, all of which have been answered,” he said.
Which Indian carriers have made it to India so far?
Earlier, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, carrying about 92,712 tonnes of LPG, reached the Indian coast safely.
The LPG ship Shivalik reached Mundra, Gujarat on 16 March, while another LPG tanker, Nanda Devi, reached Kandla port in Gujarat the next day. The two LPG carriers started their journey on 13 March and crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on 14 March.
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The Indian-flagged oil tanker Jag Laadki, carrying 80,886 tonnes of crude oil from the UAE, arrived at Mundra on 18 March.
Another tanker, the Jag Prakash, carrying petrol from Oman to Africa, had previously passed the strait safely and is on its way to Tanzania.
