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Oil tanker ‘Jag Vasant’ reaches Kandla Port amid Hormuz closure!
Samira Vishwas | March 28, 2026 10:24 AM CST

Indian flagged LPG carrier **Jag Vasant** arrived at **Kandla Port**, Gujarat on Friday, March 27, 2026 (early morning). It has brought with itself approximately **42,000–47,600 MT** LPG. This arrival comes amid increasing tensions in West Asia and the blockage in the **Strait of Hormuz**. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital chokepoint for a large portion of India’s energy imports.

After receiving the necessary clearances, the ship successfully transited the Strait of Hormuz earlier this week. This is the latest in a string of Indian-flagged LPG carrier ships that have safely reached Indian shores. Government officials, including **Rajesh Kumar Sinha**, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, had already confirmed that **Jag Vasant** (which is carrying about 47,600 MT of LPG) is expected to arrive around March 26, and safe passage has been ensured for the Indian crew and ships.

**Pine Gas**, another Indian-flagged LPG carrier and carrying approximately **45,000 MT** LPG, is also expected to arrive soon (according to reports, it will reach New Mangalore port on March 27). **Jag Vasant** and **Pine Gas** together are bringing **92,000 MT** of LPG — almost equal to the country’s domestic cooking gas requirement for one day.

This follows the earlier safe arrival of two other LPG tankers:
– **Shivalik**, which reached **Mundra Port** on March 16, 2026.
– **Nanda Devi**, which reached **Vadinar Port** on March 17, 2026.

These two vessels together supplied more than **92,000 MT** of LPG.

**Context of the crisis**: The ongoing conflict in Middle East — including U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran — has resulted in effective sanctions and heightened risks in the Strait of Hormuz. A large portion of India’s LPG imports (about 60–90% in normal times) pass through this strait. This has raised concerns about potential shortages; According to some estimates, imports have reportedly halved in March. Several Indian ships were stranded in the Persian Gulf, but the government is actively negotiating at the diplomatic level and making arrangements for alternative loading and shipment to minimize the impact.

Authorities have assured that Indian ships and sailors (33 on Jag Vasant, 27 on Pine Gas) are safe, and efforts are underway to ensure continued supply through multiple routes and to increase domestic production where possible. Due to the arrival of these consignments and proactive measures, serious nationwide shortages are not expected in the near future.

Passengers and industries dependent on LPG are advised to keep an eye on official updates from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas for any further developments.


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