India received fresh supplies of liquefied petroleum gas this week as a second carrier successfully docked at Vadinar port in Gujarat, bringing relief to more than 300 million domestic consumers amid ongoing disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessel, identified as “Nanda Devi,” carried 46,500 metric tonnes of LPG and arrived on Tuesday after navigating the tense waterway. A day earlier, another LPG carrier had reached Mundra port in Gujarat with a shipment of 46,000 tonnes, marking the first successful deliveries since the conflict involving United States, Israel and Iran escalated on February 28.
Officials said the safe arrival of the vessels was made possible through coordinated efforts between Indian and Iranian authorities, along with naval support to ensure secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy route. A third tanker carrying 81,000 tonnes of crude oil is also en route to India, according to government sources.
The LPG cargo from the Vadinar shipment is being transferred to smaller vessels for onward delivery to Ennore in Tamil Nadu and Haldia in West Bengal. Authorities at Deendayal Port in Kandla said incoming LPG shipments are being prioritised, with strict adherence to safety protocols during unloading and distribution.
India relies heavily on imports to meet its energy needs, sourcing about 88 percent of its crude oil, 60 percent of LPG and half of its natural gas from overseas markets. The Gulf region accounts for more than half of India’s crude oil imports and nearly 90 percent of its LPG supply, making disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz particularly significant for the country.
In response to supply concerns, India has increased domestic LPG production by more than 35 percent and instructed major refiners to divert resources toward LPG output by shifting away from certain petrochemical processes. The government has also expanded crude purchases from Russia to offset reduced availability from the Gulf.
The measures appear to be stabilising the situation. LPG refill bookings, which surged to between 7.7 million and 8.8 million last week amid fears of shortages, have now fallen to around 5 million to 5.5 million.
Sujata Sharma, joint secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said refineries across the country are operating at full capacity and that fuel supply remains stable. She added that petrol pumps are functioning normally and that natural gas supplies to CNG and PNG consumers are unaffected.
Despite ongoing tensions in the region, the arrival of these shipments signals that India is maintaining access to critical energy supplies, while continuing efforts to secure alternative sources and strengthen domestic production.
