Cargo unloading underway from both LPG carriers Nanda Devi and Shivalik; 161 Indian sailors repatriated: Official

Amid rising global tensions involving Iran, Israel, US and other countries, the ship managed to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz

India’s second LPG carrier ‘Nanda Devi’ arrived safely at Kandla Port in Gujarat at around 2:30 am on Tuesday, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary, ministry of ports, shipping and waterway said at a briefing.

“Both LPG carriers -- Shivalik and Nanda Devi -- are discharging cargo. Discharges on Nanda Devi are ship-to-ship. All efforts have been made to streamline vessel movement and cargo operations at the port,” he said.

Sinha also informed that all “our sailors and ships are safe in the Gulf region”, adding that in the last 24 hours, 161 Indian sailors have been repatriated and brought back to India after signing off from the region.

His remarks came after the country’s second LPG carrier ‘Nanda Devi’ arrived safely at Vadinar port in Gujarat on Tuesday, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of gas after navigating the Strait of Hormuz amid the West Asia conflict.

#WATCH | Delhi: Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Shipping Ministry, GoI says, "All our sailors and ships are safe in the Gulf region... In the last 24 hours, 161 Indian sailors have been repatriated and brought back to India after signing off in the Gulf region. This work was done in… pic.twitter.com/pXIMc2YjhI

— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2026

The first ship, 'Shivalik', reached Mundra Port in Gujarat on Monday.

Amid rising global tensions involving Iran, Israel, US and other countries, the ships managed to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz.

India remains highly dependent on imports, sourcing nearly 88 per cent of its crude oil, 50 per cent of its natural gas, and 60 per cent of its LPG needs.

Before the US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28 and Iran’s retaliation, the Middle East -- particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE -- accounted for more than half of India’s crude imports, about 30 per cent of gas supplies, and up to 90 per cent of LPG imports.

The ongoing conflict has disrupted this flow, leading to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a key energy transit corridor.

In response, India has diversified crude sourcing to countries like Russia, but gas supplies to industries have been restricted, and LPG availability for commercial establishments has declined.

Meanwhile, Sinha also informed that six ships carrying roughly about 45,000 metric tonnes of LPG each are currently stranded in Strait of Hormuz.