Two vessels carrying 92,000 MT LPG begins movement: Shipping Ministry
New Delhi, March 23
Amid disruptions in the gas and fuel supplies due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on Monday confirmed that two ships carrying 92,000 MT of Liquefied Petroleum Gas have started their movement. However, the details regarding the ships will be released at a later time.
Earlier on Sunday, a cargo ship carrying Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Texas, United States, arrived at the New Mangalore Port in Mangaluru.
On Friday, the Shipping Ministry informed that New Mangalore Port has waived cargo-related charges for crude oil and LPG from March 14 to 31. It also said that there is no congestion reported at any port.
In an interministerial briefing, Special Secretary of the Shipping Ministry, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, also said all 22 Indian ships and 611 sailors in the Persian Gulf are safe amid the West Asia conflict.
"There has been no report of any maritime incident in the last 24 hours. All our 22 ships and 611 Indian sailors in the Persian Gulf region are safe, and we are continuously monitoring them... There is no congestion in any port. New Mangalore Port has issued a circular for waiver of all cargo-related charges for crude and LPG, which is valid from 14 March to 31 March," the Shipping Ministry official said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said that panic booking of LPG cylinders has declined significantly, with only 55 lakh bookings reported on Thursday.
As Iran reportedly exerts pressure on the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the resulting disruptions to oil, gas, and maritime trade routes continue to pose a mounting threat to global economic stability.
This comes as West Asia reaches its 24th day following the joint US-Israeli offensive against Iran on February 28, in which 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was also killed. Following his death, Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the former leader, was appointed as the new Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good news! 92,000 MT is a significant amount. With LPG being essential for so many households and industries, this proactive step by the shipping ministry is commendable. The Strait of Hormuz situation is worrying, but glad to see India is monitoring and acting.
While the update is positive, I hope there's more transparency. "Details regarding the ships will be released at a later time" – why the secrecy? In a democracy, citizens deserve to know the specifics, especially about critical supplies. Just a respectful critique.
The most heartening part is that all 611 Indian sailors are reported safe. 🙏 Jai Hind. Their families must be so relieved. The geopolitical fallout is complex, but human safety comes first. Good job by the authorities on that front.
The waiver of charges at New Mangalore Port is a practical measure. It should help prevent any supply chain bottlenecks and keep prices in check. Hope the "panic booking" of cylinders mentioned truly subsides. Public cooperation is also key.
The article mentions the conflict's root cause. It's a volatile situation. India must walk a very careful diplomatic line to ensure energy security while maintaining regional stability. These supply movements show we are not taking any chances. Smart.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.