India on Thursday said two LPG carriers transporting fuel cargo for the country have safely crossed the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, while confirming that an Indian sailing vessel sank in Omani waters after an onboard fire incident, with all crew members rescued safely.
The update was shared by officials during an inter-ministerial briefing in the national capital on the evolving situation in West Asia, where the government sought to reassure citizens over fuel availability, maritime safety, and supply-chain stability amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region.
Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said both LPG shipments destined for India had successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy transit route currently under heightened scrutiny due to regional instability.
The first vessel, SYMI, a Marshall Islands-flagged LPG carrier, was carrying nearly 19,965 metric tonnes of LPG meant for India. The ship, which had 21 foreign crew members onboard, crossed the Strait on May 13 and is scheduled to reach Kandla Port on May 16.
The second vessel, NV Sunshine, a Vietnam-flagged LPG carrier carrying over 46,400 metric tonnes of LPG cargo for India, crossed the Strait on May 14. The vessel, with 24 foreign crew members onboard, is expected to arrive at New Mangalore Port on May 18.
Officials said these shipments were being coordinated in consultation with Indian Oil Corporation to ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies to the country.
In a separate maritime incident, authorities confirmed that an Indian mechanised sailing vessel, MSV Haji Ali, encountered an accident in Omani waters during its journey from Somalia to Sharjah in the UAE.
According to officials, the wooden vessel caught fire in the early hours of May 13, which eventually caused it to sink. However, all 14 crew members onboard were rescued by the Omani Coast Guard and brought safely to Dibba Port in Oman.
The government said Indian authorities are working closely with officials in Oman, the Indian mission, and maritime agencies to complete formalities and ensure assistance to the rescued crew members.
Officials clarified that no other incidents involving Indian vessels or foreign ships carrying Indian sailors have been reported in the last 72 hours.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways said its Directorate General of Shipping control room has remained active round-the-clock and has handled more than 9,200 calls and over 20,500 emails since it was activated to respond to concerns arising from the regional crisis.
In the past three days alone, the control room received 377 calls and more than 830 emails.
The ministry also said it has facilitated the return of more than 3,150 Indian seafarers from different Gulf nations so far, including 62 repatriations in the last 72 hours.
Officials further said port operations across India continue to function normally and no congestion has been reported at any major ports.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas assured citizens that there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or LPG in the country and urged people not to engage in panic buying.
Officials said nearly 1.39 crore domestic LPG cylinders were delivered over the last three days against bookings of around 1.40 crore cylinders, indicating a stable supply.
The government also said public sector oil companies have organised thousands of awareness camps to promote five-kilogram LPG cylinders and have sold more than 2.1 lakh such cylinders since early April.
Additionally, over seven lakh piped natural gas connections have been activated since March, while infrastructure has been created for several lakh more consumers as part of efforts to reduce pressure on LPG demand.
The government said it continues to closely monitor developments in West Asia and is coordinating across ministries to ensure maritime security, fuel availability, and the welfare of Indian citizens working in the region.
Parwinder Sandhu
