MUMBAI: A Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker carrying over 46,000 metric tonnes of fuel is set to cross the Strait of Hormuz on Friday and reach Mumbai by April 6, even as multiple Indian-linked vessels remain in the Gulf region awaiting clearance.
The Directorate General of Shipping said LPG carrier Green Sanvi is currently passing north of the Strait and is expected to complete transit around midnight on April 3. Shipping ministry officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the vessel is transporting 46,655 metric tonnes of LPG.
The development comes days after two LPG carriers successfully crossed the strategic waterway and reached Indian ports.
Last week, Jag Vasant delivered 47,612 metric tonnes of LPG at Kandla, while Pine Gas delivered 45,000 metric tonnes at New Mangalore.
Officials said two additional LPG vessels, Green Asha and Jag Vikram, are currently awaiting instructions from the Indian Navy for transit through the Strait.
A senior naval source indicated that efforts are underway to facilitate the movement of all stranded vessels.
Meanwhile, LPG carrier BW TYR has already arrived in Mumbai and is discharging cargo through ship-to-ship transfer operations at the Mumbai Outer Port Limits.
Another vessel, BW ELM, has been diverted to Ennore port, where it is expected to arrive on April 4.
The Directorate’s report noted that 17 Indian vessels are currently in the Persian Gulf (west of the Strait of Hormuz), two in the Gulf of Oman, two in the Gulf of Aden, and one in the Red Sea. Of these, five belong to the Shipping Corporation of India vessels in Persian Gulf. The report also stated that there are around 20,500 Indian seafarers in the wider Gulf region. Of these, 504 (459 in the Persian Gulf region and 45 Gulf of Oman) are onboard Indian-flagged vessels, while 1,130 seafarers have been evacuated by various shipping companies as of April 3.