LPG tankers from the United Arab Emirates and a crude oil tanker from Saudi Arabia are heading towards Indian ports to plug the energy supply gap, even as Navy Chief Dinesh Tripathi canceled his official trip to Australia and New Zealand due to the Iran-US war and the ensuing shipping crisis in the Persian Gulf, people familiar with the matter said.
The Indian-flagged MV Jag Vasant, followed by the MV Pine Gas vessel, sailing within five nautical miles, left its berths at UAE ports at 6am EST on Monday for India after Iran gave permission to the two LPG vessels to transit the highly sensitive strait.
The Ministry of Shipping said the ships carrying 92,612.59 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Monday evening.
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The two ships had 33 and 27 Indian sailors on board respectively. The Jag Vasant is likely to arrive at Kandla port on March 26, and the Pine Gas is scheduled to reach New Mangalore on March 28, according to the shipping ministry.
In the Gulf of Oman, LPG ships will be provided with escort by Indian Navy warships for 24 hours before they begin their journey towards Indian ports on the west coast.
In addition, a crude oil tanker, MT Calista, is loading at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port and will depart on Tuesday for Paradip port in India via Jeddah port, these people said. The Panama-flagged ship will also be provided to escort Indian Navy ships through the Gulf of Aden in coordination with the Ministry of Petroleum.
Due to the constant firing of missiles and drones across the Arabian Gulf, the Indian crew on board tankers in the war zone are feeling very stressed, but the Indian Navy and ship owners are constantly talking to them to boost their morale.
Due to the ongoing crisis and its impact on India’s energy security, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi has canceled his bilateral visit to Australia and New Zealand from March 19 to 23.
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While India has not paid any money to Iran for allowing the transit of Indian LPG tankers, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Council (IRGC) does not allow any Indian warship to accompany Indian-flagged ships. On Monday, the Iranian Embassy in India denied reports that Tehran is seeking $2 million for every ship that passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Narendra Modi government has asked the Indian Navy to deploy its Kolkata-class destroyers around the Gulf of Oman and Gulf of Aden to ensure the safety of ships flying the Indian flag. The captains of all Indian flagged ships are constantly contacted to inform them that Indian help is near.
