LPG Carrier Clears Hormuz

New Delhi, May 04: The LPG carrier MT Sarv Shakti, carrying 46,313 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas, has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz and is expected to reach Visakhapatnam on May 13, the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways said.

The Marshall Islands-flagged very large gas carrier has 20 crew members onboard, including 18 Indians. The vessel had earlier moved through the Gulf of Oman after passing near Iran’s Larak and Qeshm islands, according to tracking data.

The transit is strategically significant as it marks one of the first known passages by an India-linked tanker through the region following recent restrictions linked to geopolitical tensions involving Iran, which had curtailed tanker movement through the route.

The vessel was broadcasting its Indian destination and crew details, a safety protocol adopted by ships navigating the region amid heightened risks.

Authorities said all Indian seafarers in the Middle East are safe, with no incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels reported in the past 24 hours. The government has implemented measures to safeguard vessels and crew operating in the Gulf.

The Directorate General of Shipping has been actively managing support operations, handling over 8,300 calls and nearly 18,000 emails since activation of its control room. It has also facilitated the repatriation of more than 2,953 Indian seafarers, including 31 in the past 24 hours.

Port operations across India remain normal with no congestion reported. The government continues to prioritise seafarer welfare, with Indian missions providing consular assistance and coordinating with local authorities.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs is closely monitoring developments in the Gulf and West Asia region, maintaining round-the-clock helplines and issuing updated advisories to ensure the safety and support of Indian nationals.