NEW DELHI: In the past 24 hours, two India-bound ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have crossed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, bringing the total number of such vessels to 13. Both ships are foreign-flagged, officials confirmed.
Details of the Transits
The Marshall Islands-flagged LPG carrier Symi transited through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday. The vessel is carrying approximately 20,000 tonnes of liquid propane and butane and has a crew of 21, comprising eight Ukrainians and 13 Filipinos. The Symi is expected to reach Deen Dayal Port in Kandla on Saturday.
Another Vietnam-flagged vessel, NV Sunshine, carrying cooking gas, completed its transit through the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday morning around 9:30 am and has now exited the Ras al Kuh Traffic Separation Scheme. The vessel is proceeding to New Mangalore and is expected to arrive on May 18.
Safe Passage Coordination
Officials said the safe passage of these ships was ensured through close coordination among the Directorate General of Shipping (India's maritime regulator), the ministries of external affairs, defence, and petroleum and natural gas.
With these two additional transits, a total of 12 LPG-carrying ships have now reached India, along with one crude oil tanker. Currently, 13 India-flagged ships remain in the Persian Gulf, waiting to cross the conflict-hit strait.
According to MarineTraffic data, the NV Sunshine is carrying around 46,000 tonnes of cooking gas and is destined for New Mangalore Port. The Symi is the 11th LPG tanker to transit the strait, while the remaining vessel was a crude oil tanker.
