New Delhi, March 17: The Indian-flagged LPG tanker Nanda Devi arrived at Vadinar Port at around 11:25 a.m. on Tuesday, becoming the second LPG carrier to reach India’s west coast this week after Shivalik docked at Mundra Port a day earlier, officials said.
Both vessels carried critical LPG supplies to India after navigating the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has been disrupted due to ongoing tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel. The waterway, a key chokepoint for global energy shipments, has witnessed reduced commercial vessel movement since late February amid heightened security concerns.
Authorities at Deendayal Port Authority issued directives to prioritise berthing for LPG carriers to accelerate unloading operations and maintain uninterrupted domestic cooking gas supply. The instructions followed guidance from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to provide priority docking to LPG-laden vessels.
The tanker Shivalik, carrying around 46,000 tonnes of LPG from Qatar, completed its nine-day voyage and docked at Mundra after advance port preparations enabled immediate discharge of cargo. Officials said the arrival of both vessels forms part of broader efforts to secure LPG supplies for households and industry, as India continues to depend on imports for a substantial share of its energy requirements.
Meanwhile, another vessel, Jag Laadki, transporting about 81,000 tonnes of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates, is currently en route to India. According to government data, 22 Indian-flagged ships carrying 611 seafarers remain west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf region, with authorities confirming that all crew members are safe and operations continue without incident.
