Mangaluru: A critical shipment of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Texas arrived at New Mangalore Port on Sunday, providing a timely boost to India’s energy reserves as the conflict in West Asia enters its fourth week.

The Singapore-flagged vessel, Pyxis Pioneer, which departed from Nederland, Texas, on Feb. 14, docked at the port’s Berth No. 13 around 6 a.m. local time. The arrival comes as the Shipping Ministry announced a temporary waiver of all cargo-related charges for crude oil and LPG at New Mangalore Port, effective through March 31, to ensure the seamless flow of energy imports.

Maritime Safety and Stability

In an inter-ministerial briefing, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary of the Shipping Ministry, confirmed that despite the regional volatility, all 22 Indian-flagged vessels and 611 sailors currently in the Persian Gulf remain safe.

"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," Sinha said. He further emphasised that no congestion has been reported at any major Indian port, allowing for efficient cargo discharge.

The Pyxis Pioneer joins a series of successful maritime arrivals:

  • MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi: Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers carrying a combined 92,712 metric tonnes safely navigated the Strait of Hormuz on March 13.
  • Jag Laadki: An Indian-flagged crude tanker successfully berthed at Adani Ports Mundra in Gujarat on Wednesday with approximately 81,000 metric tonnes of UAE-sourced crude.

Domestic Supply Outlook

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas reported a significant easing of domestic supply pressures. Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the ministry, noted that panic booking of LPG cylinders has plummeted to nearly pre-war levels.

"There is no panic booking now. Only 55 lakh LPG booking reported yesterday," Sharma said during Sunday's briefing, comparing it to the peak of nearly 88 lakh bookings recorded on March 13.

Reassuring the public of sufficient inventory, Sharma added, "There is adequate stock available, no outlets are dry out." While household supplies are being prioritised and maintained at normal delivery levels, she acknowledged that industrial and commercial sectors continue to face allocation constraints.

The government continues to manage the energy crisis through alternative routes and by encouraging a shift toward Piped Natural Gas (PNG), where infrastructure permits.

With inputs from ANI