India's LPG Supply Secured Amid Ongoing Crisis in West Asia
LPG Carriers Successfully Navigate Hormuz Strait
In light of the ongoing crisis in West Asia, two cargo ships transporting LPG for India have successfully crossed the Hormuz Strait and are expected to arrive at Indian ports in the coming days. A senior government official highlighted the central government's efforts to maintain a steady fuel supply in the country during a briefing on Thursday.
Details of the LPG Carriers
During an inter-ministerial briefing in the capital, Mukesh Mangal, additional secretary of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, reported that the LPG carrier SYMI, flagged by the Marshall Islands and carrying 19,965 metric tons of LPG with a crew of 21 foreign members, successfully navigated the Hormuz Strait on May 13 and is expected to reach Kandla on May 16.
Second LPG Carrier's Journey
He further noted that the LPG carrier NV Sunshine, flagged by Vietnam and transporting 46,427 metric tons of LPG with a crew of 24 foreign members, crossed the Hormuz Strait safely on May 14 and is anticipated to arrive in New Mangalore by May 18. Both vessels belong to the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
Government's Response to Energy Market Pressures
This update comes at a time when the global energy market and shipping routes are under significant pressure due to the crisis in West Asia. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has stated that despite disruptions in the import of crude oil, LPG, and LNG, the government has implemented various measures to maintain a sufficient stock of petrol, diesel, LPG, and natural gas.
Efforts to Ensure Fuel Availability
Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Refining) in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, addressed the briefing, noting that it has been nearly 75 days since the West Asia crisis began, impacting imports of crude oil, LPG, and LNG. However, the Indian government has taken effective steps to ensure ample availability of petrol, diesel, LPG, and natural gas in the country.
Increased Production and New Connections
She added that refineries are operating at maximum capacity, and LPG production has been ramped up. Highlighting efforts to increase the use of PNG, Sharma mentioned that over 700,000 PNG connections have been converted to gas since March. Additionally, infrastructure has been prepared for more than 272,000 connections, with approximately 750,000 new consumers registering for PNG connections.
Consumer Transition to PNG
The official also noted that many consumers holding both PNG and LPG connections have voluntarily transitioned to using PNG exclusively. Approximately 57,200 such consumers have surrendered their LPG connections. Regarding LPG supply, Sharma confirmed that there have been no reports of supply shortages anywhere in the country, stating that operations at retail outlets and LPG distributors are continuing normally.