Indian-flagged tanker Nanda Devi arrived at Vadinar Port on Tuesday morning carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) after safe Strait of Hormuz transit amid West Asia war.
The vessel reached the anchorage area at around 2:30 am, where preparations are underway for a ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operation.
Officials said that the LPG cargo will be transferred offshore to another vessel, BW Birch, through a ship-to-ship transfer process, reported the ANI.
The operation will take place in the high seas near the anchorage, a standard method used for efficient cargo handling without docking at the port.
The LPG tanker had earlier departed from Qatar after a safe Strait of Hormuz transit, a key maritime corridor linking the Persian Gulf to global markets, transit amid tensions in the region.
DPA chairman cisits vessel
According to the ANI, Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority, boarded the vessel after its arrival.
He interacted with the captain and crew of the tanker and thanked them for safely delivering the LPG consignment.
Speaking on the development, Singh said the vessel had arrived safely with the cargo and that the STS transfer to the daughter vessel would begin the same day.
#WATCH | Gujarat | LPG tanker Nanda Devi arrives at Vadinar (Jamnagar) port carrying 46,500 MT LPG for ship-to-ship transfer at the anchorage. STS transfer to MT BW Birch to commence today. Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), visited on board the… pic.twitter.com/h6wG27b5cf
— ANI (@ANI) March 17, 2026
He assured the crew of full support from port authorities to ensure smooth and safe operations during the transfer process, as per the ANI.
Safe passage of Indian vessels
According to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the tanker Nanda Devi successfully entered open waters after navigating the Strait of Hormuz, as per the IANS.
He confirmed that there have been no reports of incidents involving Indian vessels or seafarers operating in the Gulf region.
Government data indicates that 22 Indian-flagged vessels are currently located west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, carrying a total of 611 Indian seafarers.
Gujarat: LPG tanker Nanda Devi arrives at Vadinar Port
(Source: PRO Port) pic.twitter.com/GFRCIJU2g3
— IANS (@ians_india) March 17, 2026
Another Indian-flagged LPG tanker, Shivalik, had already reached Mundra Port a day earlier. The vessel delivered approximately 45,000–46,000 tonnes of LPG.
Together, the two ships are transporting around 92,700 metric tonnes of LPG to India. Both carriers are operated by the state-run Shipping Corporation of India.
Another vessel, Jag Laadki, is currently en route to Mundra Port carrying nearly 81,000 tonnes of crude oil from the United Arab Emirates. Officials confirmed that the ship and its crew remain safe, according to the IANS.
Vital global energy corridor
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for energy supplies. Nearly 20 per cent of global oil and gas exports pass through this narrow channel each day, the news agency reported.
Amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the region, Indian authorities continue to closely monitor shipping movements to ensure the safety of vessels and crew.
Ports on alert to support shipping operations
The Ministry stated that major ports across India are actively monitoring vessel movements and cargo handling operations. Ports are also offering support to shipping lines and cargo stakeholders, reported the IANS.
This includes concessions in anchorage fees, berth hire and storage charges to facilitate smooth cargo operations during the current period of heightened maritime vigilance.
(with ANI and IANS inputs)