Green Sanvi, a large Indian-flagged gas carrier carrying around 46,650 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cargo, has safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz, official sources quoted by ANI said. The development comes after reports that an Iranian crude cargo bound for India was diverted to China due to “payment issues”.
Earlier on March 28, a similar consignment of LPG cargo arrived at DPA Kandla’s Vadinar terminal in Jamnagar, Gujarat. The shipment was carrying 47,000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas.
The vessel, MT Jag Vasant, is ready to transfer its cargo to another ship at berth through a Ship-to-Ship (STS) operation. Sources told the news agency that Indian Navy warships were on standby to provide support to merchant vessels.
Meanwhile, the Petroleum Ministry clarified that LPG vessel Sea Bird, carrying around 44 TMT of Iranian LPG, berthed at Mangalore on Thursday, April 2.
“We reiterate that India’s crude oil requirements will remain fully secured in the coming months. Also regarding LPG, some of the claims are incorrect as LPG vessel Sea Bird carrying around 44 TMT of Iranian LPG docked at Mangalore, India on April 2 and is currently being discharged,” X’s post said.
The Strait of Hormuz has been blocked for business since the US-Israel-Iran war broke out on February 28, sparking fears of shortages. Amid the maritime blockade, the Center has since been in talks with Iranian authorities to allow Indian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Ministry of Shipping had earlier reported that there were 18 vessels and around 485 sailors in the Persian Gulf.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mukesh Mangal said that all Indian vessels and crews currently in the Persian Gulf are being closely monitored. “All sailors in the Persian Gulf remain safe,” he added at a joint inter-ministerial briefing on the latest developments in the Persian Gulf region.
“There are 18 Indian vessels in the region with around 485 seafarers. More than 964 seafarers have been repatriated so far while ports across India continue to operate normally,” Mukesh Mangal reported.
Talking about port operations, Mangal said, “We are maintaining round-the-clock coordination with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.”
The West Asian crisis began on February 28 with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, and subsequent Iranian retaliation engulfed the region in conflict and affected global fuel supplies. As many as 5,98,000 travelers have returned to India since the beginning of the West Asian conflict.
