New Delhi, April 6 (ANI) — The India-flagged LPG carrier Green Asha has safely transited the Strait of Hormuz, government sources told ANI on Monday. This marks the eighth India-flagged liquefied petroleum gas vessel to pass the strategic waterway since the conflict in the region began on Feb. 28.
Officials said another large gas carrier flying the Indian flag, Green Sanvi, also cleared the Strait on Friday night carrying about 46,650 metric tonnes of LPG. Earlier, on March 28, MT Jag Vasant delivered roughly 47,000 metric tonnes of LPG to the Vadinar terminal of DPA Kandla in Jamnagar, Gujarat; that vessel is scheduled to transfer its cargo to another ship at anchorage via a ship-to-ship operation.
Indian Navy warships have been placed on standby to assist merchant vessels, the sources added. The central government has been engaging with Iranian authorities to ensure safe passage for Indian ships amid a maritime blockade tied to the wider West Asia conflict.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has reported 18 Indian vessels with about 485 seafarers currently in the Persian Gulf. At a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary at the ministry, said all Indian ships and crew in the Persian Gulf are being closely monitored and that the seafarers remain safe. He noted that more than 964 seafarers have been repatriated so far.
Mangal added that Indian ports are operating normally and that there is continuous coordination among the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, and other maritime stakeholders to manage the situation.
A senior government official also said approximately 598,000 passengers have returned to India amid the evolving security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region. (ANI)
