NewKerala.com

India Works to Bring 15 Stranded Ships from Strait of Hormuz

The Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs to bring back 15 Indian-flagged vessels currently stranded at the Strait of Hormuz. In a positive development, the Indian LPG carrier 'Jag Vikram' has successfully transited the strait, marking the first such passage since a US-Iran ceasefire announcement. The ministry reports no security incidents involving Indian vessels in the past day and highlights the ongoing safe repatriation of Indian seafarers. Nearly 90% of India's LPG imports come from the Gulf region, underscoring the critical importance of these maritime routes.

Key Points: India Aims to Retrieve 15 Vessels from Strait of Hormuz

  • 15 Indian vessels stranded in Strait of Hormuz
  • First Indian ship transits after US-Iran ceasefire
  • Over 2,177 seafarers repatriated safely
  • No incidents reported in last 24 hours
2 min read

Ministry of Shipping says efforts underway to bring 15 Indian vessels from Strait of Hormuz

India's shipping ministry coordinates with MEA to bring back 15 Indian-flagged vessels stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, as one LPG carrier safely transits.

"We, in coordination with MEA, are trying, putting our efforts to bring our vessels back. - Mukesh Mangal"

New Delhi, April 13

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the Ministry of External Affairs are in coordination to bring back a total of 15 Indian-flagged vessels stranded at the Strait of Hormuz.

Addressing an inter-ministerial briefing on Monday, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Additional Secretary Mukesh Mangal said, "We, in coordination with MEA, are trying, putting our efforts to bring our vessels back. And as soon as it is possible for our vessels to sail from the Strait of Hormuz, those vessels will come back. At present, a total of 15 Indian-flagged and Indian-owned vessels are there."

Meanwhile, the Indian-flagged vessel 'Jag Vikram', carrying 20,400 metric tonnes of LPG, is likely to arrive at Kandla, Gujarat, on April 14.

Mukesh Mangal said that the vessel with 24 seafarers on board crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 11.

The transit marks a breakthrough for New Delhi, as it is the first Indian ship to navigate the strategic corridor after the announcement of a 14-day ceasefire between the US and Iran, aimed at cooling regional hostilities and restoring essential maritime trade routes.

The Additional Secretary further provided a reassuring update on the status of vessels and crew members in the Gulf region, highlighting that no incident has been reported involving Indian vessels in the past 24 hours.

"We have received no report of any incident related to an Indian-flagged vessel in the last 24 hours. The Ministry has facilitated safe repatriation of more than 2177 Indian seafarers till now, including 93 seafarers in the last 24 hours," he said.

The ministry emphasised its commitment to ensuring seafarer welfare and uninterrupted maritime operations, highlighting continuous coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, and maritime stakeholders.

"Operations are normal at every Indian port, and there have been no reports of any congestion," the Ministry added.

The importance of passage of Jag Vikram is further highlighted by the fact that nearly 90 per cent of India's liquefied petroleum gas imports are sourced from nations in the Gulf region.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is a critical issue for global trade, not just India. The Strait of Hormuz is a major chokepoint. Glad to hear about the ceasefire and that operations at Indian ports are normal. The repatriation of over 2100 seafarers is a massive logistical effort. Well done.
R
Rohit P
90% of our LPG comes from the Gulf! This is why this safe passage is so crucial for every Indian household. A slight disruption and cooking gas prices could shoot up. Government needs to actively diversify energy sources, this is a wake-up call.
P
Priya S
My cousin is a merchant navy officer. Families are constantly worried when ships are stuck in such zones. The update that no incidents were reported in 24 hours is a huge relief. Thank you to the officials working behind the scenes. 🙏
V
Vikram M
While the efforts are commendable, the communication could be more proactive. We only hear about these things in briefings. A dedicated portal with live updates for families of seafarers would be very helpful. Just a suggestion for better transparency.
K
Karthik V
The geopolitical situation there is always tense. India must use its diplomatic channels strongly to ensure safe passage for our vessels as a permanent solution, not just during ceasefires. Our trade and energy security depend on it.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50