LPG cargo from Qatar reaches Mundra Port amid West Asia tensions

A cargo vessel carrying 46,000 tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Qatar safely arrived at Mundra Port on Monday, offering relief to India’s fuel supply chain amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

The vessel, Shivalik, is carrying LPG ordered by Indian Oil Corporation and its cargo is sufficient to fill nearly 3.24 million domestic LPG cylinders.

Authorities at Mundra Port completed the required documentation and arranged priority berthing to enable the vessel to begin unloading operations without delay. The cargo will be discharged in phases, with about 20,000 tonnes to be unloaded at Mundra and the remaining 26,000 tonnes scheduled to be discharged at New Mangalore Port.

After berthing, the process of safely offloading the LPG began under standard safety protocols, following which the fuel will be transported to distribution networks across the country.

According to officials, Shivalik departed from Qatar on March 7 and crossed the strategic Strait of Hormuz on March 14 before heading toward India. The vessel is the first LPG carrier to reach the country since tensions escalated in West Asia, raising concerns over energy shipments moving through the region.

The arrival comes at a time when maritime traffic and energy supply routes in the Gulf have faced heightened scrutiny due to the ongoing regional conflict. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, handling a significant share of global oil and gas shipments.

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said two more vessels are expected to reach India soon. Among them, Nanda Devi, carrying 46,000 tonnes of LPG, and Jag Laadki, carrying 81,000 tonnes of crude oil, are scheduled to arrive on March 17.

Officials said authorities are closely monitoring vessel movements and prioritising port operations to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies during the ongoing geopolitical tensions.