The Indian-flagged liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker Nanda Devi, en route from Qatar, is expected to arrive at Kandla Port in Gujarat on Tuesday, providing critical relief amid ongoing concerns over fuel shipments through the Strait of Hormuz.
The Nanda Devi follows the LPG carrier Shivalik, which docked at Mundra Port a day earlier, carrying approximately 45–46 thousand tonnes of LPG. Together, the two vessels transport nearly 92,700 metric tonnes of LPG to India, according to government officials. Both ships are operated by the state-run Shipping Corporation of India.
Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, confirmed in an inter-ministerial briefing that the Nanda Devi had successfully entered the open sea after transiting the Strait of Hormuz. He emphasized that all Indian seafarers in the Persian Gulf region are safe, with no reported incidents affecting crew members.
Government data indicate that 22 Indian-flagged vessels are currently positioned west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 Indian seafarers.
In addition to LPG shipments, the crude oil tanker Jag Laadki, transporting nearly 81,000 tonnes of crude from the UAE, is on its way to Mundra Port. Authorities have confirmed that all Indian seafarers on board remain safe.
The Strait of Hormuz continues to be one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors, accounting for nearly 20 percent of global oil and gas exports. With tensions escalating in the region, Indian authorities are closely tracking vessel movements to ensure the safety of ships and crews.
Ports across India are actively monitoring cargo operations and providing support to shipping lines, including concessions in anchorage, berth hire, and storage charges, the ministry noted.
The safe arrival of Nanda Devi is expected to stabilize LPG supplies and reassure stakeholders as fuel shipments navigate sensitive international waters. Officials reiterated that the government remains vigilant, coordinating with shipping companies and port authorities to safeguard both cargo and personnel.
The transit of Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz has gained increased attention amid regional geopolitical tensions, making the monitoring and protection of Indian seafarers a high-priority concern for national authorities.
With the Nanda Devi nearing Kandla and other tankers like Jag Laadki en route, India’s energy and shipping sectors are maintaining heightened alert to ensure uninterrupted fuel deliveries and secure maritime operations in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes.
