A shipment of 47,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) arrived at DPA Kandla’s Vadinar Terminal in Jamnagar, Gujarat, on Saturday. The tanker MT Jag Vasant will transfer its cargo to another ship at anchorage through a ship-to-ship (STS) operation.
Indian Navy warships were reported on standby to support the merchant vessels, and additional LPG ships are expected to call at the terminal in the coming days.
Special Secretary Rajesh Kumar Sinha of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with stakeholders. He reported no incidents involving Indian-flagged ships or Indian seafarers in the Gulf region in the past 24 hours and confirmed that Indian vessels operating in the Persian Gulf are safe.
Sinha said there are 20 Indian-flagged ships in the Persian Gulf carrying about 540 Indians, all accounted for and safe. He added that the Directorate General of Shipping’s 24-hour communication centre has been actively addressing queries, responding to 98 calls and 335 emails in the last 24 hours.
India has reiterated its call for preservation of safe and uninterrupted maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz and stressed adherence to international law amid heightened tensions in West Asia. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi is coordinating with global partners to help ensure stability and safe navigation through the strait.
