Amid global concerns over disruption in energy supply due to conflict in West Asia and the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, the Shipping Ministry on Tuesday assured that all Indian ships and sailors in the Gulf region are safe.
Speaking at an inter-ministerial press conference in the national capital, Special Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Rajesh Sinha said that the two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, have already safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are on their way to India.
“All Indian ships and sailors in the Gulf region are safe. No maritime incidents have been reported in the last 24 hours. Late yesterday evening, the two Indian-flagged LPG tankers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, were loaded with LPG. The two ships safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz and are heading towards India,” Sinha said.
He informed that the Pine Gas vessel, carrying 45,000 metric tons of LPG, is expected to arrive at Mangalore New Port on the morning of March 27. Meanwhile, another ship Jag Vasant, carrying about 47,600 metric tons of LPG, is heading towards Kandla and is likely to arrive on March 26.
“Pine Gas is carrying 45,000 metric tons of LPG and is scheduled to arrive at the new Mangalore port, likely on the morning of March 27. Another LPG transport ship, Jag Vasant, is carrying approximately 47,600 metric tons of LPG and is heading towards Kandla. It is expected to arrive on March 26,” Rajesh Sinha said.
Sinha also stated that with the departure of these two ships from the Arabian Gulf, there are currently 20 Indian-flagged ships in the region carrying about 540 Indian sailors. He also confirmed that no congestion was reported at any of the ports.
“Thus, with the departure of these two ships from the Persian Gulf, there are now 20 Indian-flagged ships, carrying 540 Indian sailors, in the Persian Gulf… and no congestion has been reported at any port,” Sinha added.
The killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28 in joint military strikes by the United States and Israel, followed by retaliatory strikes and the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran, severely disrupted international waterways and global energy markets.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has adequate crude oil reserves and robust arrangements for continuous supply amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.
He highlighted the expansion of strategic oil reserves and the increase in refining capacity, as global trade through the Strait of Hormuz faces disruptions.
Prime Minister Modi in his address to the Rajya Sabha said, “…In the last 11 years, the strategic oil reserves have been developed to over 53 lakh metric tonnes, and work is underway to expand them to over 65 lakh metric tonnes. In addition, India’s refining capacity has increased significantly in the last decade. I want to assure the House and the country through you that India has adequate storage of crude oil and arrangements for continuous supply.”
“The Strait of Hormuz is one of the largest routes for global trade. A large amount of transportation related to crude oil, gas and fertilisers passes through this region… We seek to ensure that oil and gas supplies reach India from wherever possible. The country is witnessing the results of these efforts. In the past few days, ships carrying crude oil and LPG from several countries have arrived in India. Our efforts in this direction will continue in the coming days as well,” Prime Minister Modi said.
