Safety of Mariners and Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz: Union Minister's Insights

Ensuring Maritime Safety Amidst Regional Turmoil

Guwahati, March 22: The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, emphasized the importance of securing vessels and ensuring the safety of mariners while navigating through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a conversation, Sonowal acknowledged the precarious situation in West Asia due to ongoing conflicts, stating, “We cannot jeopardize the vessels and the lives of mariners. We will only proceed when we are completely assured of their safety.”

Currently, 22 vessels are stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, and efforts are underway to ensure their safe passage.

He highlighted that India recently succeeded in bringing in two LPG-carrying vessels after considerable negotiations.

The remaining 22 vessels will be retrieved only when conditions permit.

The Minister also noted that India is sourcing crude oil from various nations to prevent shortages domestically.

Alternative routes such as the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea are being utilized due to the unsafe conditions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Sonowal pointed out that not just India, but all nations importing oil and LPG from countries like Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, and Qatar are encountering significant challenges due to the regional conflict, raising serious concerns.

He assured that the Government is making every effort to sustain the supply chain, with normalization expected only after the situation in West Asia stabilizes.

Despite government assurances, consumers are experiencing LPG shortages and rising prices.

The Government has instructed refineries to maximize production, while official sources indicated that panic buying of LPG has exacerbated the issue.

Currently, there is no shortage of petrol and diesel, as India has ramped up imports from alternative sources.