Kandla: The Indian-flagged vessel Jag Vikram arrived at Kandla Port late Tuesday, delivering 20,400 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in a significant breakthrough for the nation’s energy supply chain.

The vessel’s arrival at Oil Jetty No. 1 follows its April 11 passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The transit represents the first successful navigation of the strategic corridor by an Indian ship since the implementation of a 14-day ceasefire between the United States and Iran, a diplomatic pause intended to de-escalate regional friction and revive critical trade routes.

Securing the Maritime Corridor

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is currently working alongside the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to secure the release of 15 other Indian-flagged and Indian-owned ships currently immobilised near the strait.

During an inter-ministerial briefing on Monday, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, addressed the ongoing repatriation efforts. "We, in coordination with MEA, are trying, putting our efforts to bring our vessels back," Mangal said. "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."

Crew Safety and Port Operations

Authorities provided a positive assessment of the security situation in the Gulf, noting a 24-hour period free of any reported incidents involving Indian maritime assets. The government has also prioritised the safe return of maritime personnel during the crisis.

"We have received no report of any incident related to an Indian-flagged vessel in the last 24 hours," Mangal stated. He noted that the ministry has overseen the repatriation of more than 2,177 Indian seafarers to date, with 93 returning in the last 24-hour window alone.

Despite the regional volatility, the ministry reported that domestic maritime activity remains unaffected. "Operations are normal at every Indian port, and there have been no reports of any congestion," the statement added.

Energy Security Implications

The successful voyage of the Jag Vikram is of paramount importance to India's domestic stability, as approximately 90% of the country’s LPG imports originate from Gulf nations. The commencement of the unloading process is expected to provide a much-needed boost to the national fuel inventory as officials continue to monitor the fragile maritime environment.

With inputs from ANI