Two India-flagged LPG tankers have safely reached the country after getting clearance from Iran to pass through the sensitive Strait of Hormuz, offering some relief amid ongoing tensions in the region. Officials said the vessels, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, successfully navigated the route by staying close to the Iranian coastline, following a path approved by Tehran. The Indian Navy provided them escort after they crossed Hormuz.
The Jag Vasant, a 230-metre-long tanker, reached Vadinar terminal of DPA Kandla in Gujarat on Saturday, 28th March. The vessel, chartered by Bharat Petroleum Corporation, was carrying around 47,000 tonnes of LPG. At the port, spokesperson Omprakash Dadlani confirmed that the “14-member crew are in good spirits and sound health.” The cargo has already been transferred to another ship for further movement.
The second vessel, Pine Gas, which is chartered by Indian Oil Corporation, entered Indian waters on the same night. It is now heading towards the Dhamra port in Odisha and is expected to arrive there on 2nd April.
More tankers begin journey through the Strait
Even as these two ships reached safely, two more LPG carriers, BW Tyr and BW Elm, started their journey through the Strait of Hormuz on 28th March. Officials said BW Tyr is expected to reach Mumbai by 31st March, while BW Elm is on its way to New Mangalore and is likely to arrive by 1st April.
A shipping ministry official shared details of the cargo, saying, “BW TYR is headed for Mumbai… It has 23,653 tonnes of propane and 22,926 tonnes of butane for Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.” He also added that BW ELM is carrying a similar load for Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited, along with a crew of 28 Indian seafarers.
India is moving stranded LPG supplies
India has been slowly clearing its LPG shipments that were stuck in the Gulf due to rising tensions. So far, four tankers, Shivalik, Nanda Devi, Pine Gas, and Jag Vasant, have managed to move out of the region.
However, the situation is not fully resolved. As of now, around 20 Indian-flagged ships, including five LPG carriers, were still stranded in the Gulf. Some vessels like Jag Vikram, Green Asha and Green Sanvi are waiting near the Strait for further instructions.
According to a status report, “three other Indian Flagged LPG vessels… are currently anchored… awaiting instructions from the Indian Navy for transit.”
India faces growing LPG pressure
The movement of these tankers is crucial as India is facing one of its worst gas shortages in years. Being the world’s second-largest LPG importer, the country depends heavily on supplies from the Middle East, which account for nearly 90% of its imports.
To manage the situation, the government has already reduced LPG supply to industries to ensure there is no shortage for household cooking needs. Last year, India consumed over 33 million metric tonnes of LPG, with imports meeting around 60% of the demand.
