Kamal Ghorui
Video of LPG carrier Nanda Devi (Video/X@ANI)
NEW DELHI: Nanda Devi LPG tanker on Tuesday arrived at Vadinar (Jamnagar) port in Gujarat just a day after Shivalik reached India.The tanker, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of LPG is set to begin a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer at the harbour, with the cargo expected to be moved to MT BW Birch for onward distribution.
The arrival of Nanda Devi marks the return of the second successful LPG carrier reaching India after navigating through the conflict-hit Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway located between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman responsible for global trade.Officials said that the operation was facilitated through coordinated efforts by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the Shipping Corporation of India, along with support from the Indian Navy and Iranian Navy, ensuring safe passage through one of the world’s most sensitive maritime routes.Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), Sushil Kumar Singh, visited the vessel upon its arrival and interacted with the captain and crew as cargo operations were being prepared.
A senior officer onboard the vessel highlighted the significance of the shipment, stating that the cargo would help India manage supply pressures amid a global LPG crunch triggered by geopolitical tensions.The development follows the arrival of LPG carrier Shivalik at Mundra Port on Monday, which transported around 40,000 metric tonnes of LPG. Of this, 20,000 MT is being unloaded at Mundra, while the remaining is scheduled for Mangalore.Meanwhile, another tanker, Jag Laadki, carrying approximately 81,000 tonnes of Murban crude oil from the UAE is also en route to India. Officials confirmed that all Indian seafarers operating in the Persian Gulf region remain safe, with no incidents reported.Currently, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with over 600 seafarers are operating in the region, as authorities continue to closely monitor maritime traffic and facilitate cargo movement amid heightened tensions.The LPG cargo from Nanda Devi will be redistributed via smaller vessels and transported to various destinations across the country.
