In a major breakthrough for India’s energy security, the LPG carrier Nanda Devi has docked at Vadinar Port in Gujarat on Tuesday, March 17, with 46,500 metric tonnes of fuel on board. This is a major logistical achievement, as this is only the second Indian-flagged vessel to successfully pass through the treacherous Strait of Hormuz since the recent escalation of hostilities in the region.
Unloading of the fuel began immediately — as a ship-to-ship transfer of the fuel to a smaller 'daughter' ship, named MT BW Birch— under the supervision of the Deendayal Port Authority. DPA Chairman Sushil Kumar Singh boarded the mother ship to coordinate with the crew, highlighting the high-priority nature of the mission. This follows the arrival of the LPG Shivalik at Mundra Port just 24 hours earlier, which brought in a further 46,000 metric tonnes of gas destined for markets in Gujarat and Karnataka.
The Nanda Devi’s Chief Officer credited the successful transit to a coordinated effort between the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Shipping Corporation of India, bolstered by rare naval cooperation. He noted that both the Indian and Iranian navies provided support to ensure the vessel could pass through the blockaded strait without incident. "This will help in the worldwide crisis of LPG," he remarked, acknowledging the strain the conflict has placed on global supplies.
Providing further reassurance, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Shipping Ministry, confirmed that another Indian vessel, the Jag Laadki, is currently en route from the UAE with 81,000 tonnes of crude oil. According to the latest government figures, 22 Indian-flagged vessels remain active in the Persian Gulf. Officials have confirmed that all 611 seafarers currently stationed in the region are safe, with no security incidents reported in the last 24 hours— a promising sign for a country currently grappling with domestic fuel rationing and price hikes.
Also read: Cong Prez Kharge flags LPG crisis in Rajya Sabha; govt hits back
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