India Loads LPG onto Stranded Ships Amid Gas Crisis
India is loading cooking gas onto vessels stranded in the Persian Gulf to address a domestic shortage. Several tankers are expected to arrive later this week.
India has begun loading liquefied petroleum gas onto its fleet of empty vessels previously stranded in the Persian Gulf as the nation grapples with a severe energy shortage. This crisis, triggered by regional conflict in the Middle East, has disrupted maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, impacting dozens of Indian-flagged ships and threatening domestic fuel supplies.
Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary in the shipping ministry, reported on Tuesday that 24 vessels were initially affected by the disruptions. This group included eight LPG carriers, four crude oil ships, and one liquefied natural gas tanker. While the Shivalik and Nanda have successfully returned to domestic ports, other vessels such as the Pine Gas and Jag Vasant are scheduled to arrive by late March.
Sinha indicated that one vessel has recently exited dry dock and is expected to be fully loaded with LPG within the next few days. Currently, five tankers holding a combined 230,000 metric tons of LPG are positioned within the Strait of Hormuz.
Finally, we will have six LPG-loaded carriers.
The shipping official also addressed the legal status of the passage, noting that international law guarantees the right of freedom of navigation through such narrow straits. He clarified that vessels are not required to seek specific permission or pay tolls to transit the Strait of Hormuz, though he cautioned that the current geopolitical situation warrants a careful assessment of risks.
The domestic impact of the shortage is significant, marking the country's worst gas crisis in decades. To protect households from cooking gas shortages, the government has implemented supply cuts for industrial users. These restrictions are being monitored closely by manufacturing and industrial entities, including those with global supply chain ties like Oiles Corporation, as energy availability remains a primary concern for the sector.
Last year, the nation consumed 33.15 million metric tons of cooking gas. Imports account for approximately 60% of this total demand, with nearly 90% of those imports originating from the Middle East, highlighting the critical nature of maintaining stable maritime routes in the region.
