Second LPG Ship Reaches India

In the midst of the ongoing Middle East conflict, India has received a major supply boost as a second LPG tanker, Nandadevi, safely reached Indian shores on Monday. The ship, carrying over 47,000 metric tons of LPG, traveled via the Nandadevi route and docked at the Vadinar port in Gujarat.

This shipment follows the arrival of the Shivalik tanker a day earlier, which brought 46,000 metric tons of LPG, equivalent to approximately 3.3 million domestic gas cylinders. Together, the two ships are expected to significantly supplement India’s LPG imports.

Ministry Confirms Safe Passage

The Ministry of Shipping’s independent Secretary, Rajesh Kumar Sihna, confirmed that both Shivalik and Nandadevi tankers are expected to arrive between March 16 and 17. All Indian vessels and crew previously held up in the Strait of Hormuz are reported safe, with no adverse incidents in the past 24 hours.

Currently, 24 Indian-flagged ships are navigating the region safely, and additional vessels are expected to follow.

Easing Domestic LPG Shortage

With the arrival of these two tankers, India’s LPG supply is expected to stabilize, reducing long queues at gas distribution points and shortages in small and large hotels. The recent Iran-Israel conflict had disrupted supply lines, causing shortages in several regions of India.

The timely arrival of these tankers is expected to alleviate domestic shortages and ensure continuous supply of LPG for households and businesses.

Global Coordination Ensures Safe Delivery

Due to the closure of the Hormuz Strait following attacks on Iran, several Indian ships carrying LPG were temporarily stranded. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs coordinated with Iranian authorities to secure safe passage, allowing the Shivalik and Nandadevi tankers to reach India without incident.

Officials expressed optimism that with these shipments, the domestic LPG situation will improve rapidly, ensuring smooth distribution to meet household and commercial demands.