New Delhi: Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers that were stranded on the western side of the Strait of Hormuz have now safely crossed and are sailing to the country, even as 20 vessels remain stuck in the region, the Union government said Tuesday.
“Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers, Pine Gas and Jag Vasant, safely passed through the Strait of Hormuz and are now heading towards India,” Rajesh Kumar Sinha, special secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said at an inter-ministerial briefing.
“Pine Gas is carrying 45,000 metric tons of LPG, is scheduled to arrive at New Mangalore Port, with an expected arrival date of 27 March. Jag Vasant is carrying approximately 47,600 metric tons of LPG and is heading towards Kandla Port, with an estimated arrival date of 26 March.”
Together, the two vessels are transporting around 92,600 metric tonnes (MT) of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). Following the passage of these two vessels, 20 Indian-flagged vessels with 540 seafarers on board, remain stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz.
Of these, Sinha said five vessels are currently loaded with LPG, while one more is expected to be loaded in the coming days, taking the total number of LPG carriers in the group to six.
Officials from the petroleum ministry announced measures to expand piped natural gas (PNG) access, particularly for institutions.
“Yesterday, PNGRB issued an order and directed all the CGD (City Gas Distribution) entities to provide PNG connections to residential schools, colleges, hostels, community kitchens, anganwadi kitchens within five days, wherever pipeline infrastructure is available in the near vicinity,” Sujata Sharma, joint secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said.
Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is a statutory body that regulates downstream (consumer interests, distribution) activities in the petroleum and natural gas sectors.
On LPG supply, Sharma said that LPG production has been increased at refineries by diverting feedstock from petrochemical production. “LPG output increase is at the cost of other petrochemical products, so we are not self-sufficient. Hence, we are still dependent on LPG imports.”
Regarding distribution of commercial LPG cylinders, Sharma said 24 states and Union Territories have issued orders for supply. “Nearly, 18,700 tonnes of commercial LPG have been distributed till yesterday.”
Under the Ujjwala scheme, she added, nearly 11 lakh migrant workers now have LPG connections, with 73,000 new connections provided in recent months. “Yesterday also, more than 20,000 5kg FTL [Free Trade LPG] cylinders were distributed to migrant labourers.”
A 5kg FTL is a small, portable LPG cylinder offered by oil marketing companies that can be purchased without address proof, requiring only a photo ID.
As part of enforcement efforts, Sharma said around 3,400 raids were conducted Monday, leading to the seizure of about 1,000 cylinders. Oil marketing companies also carried out 1,500 surprise inspections.
Separately, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also briefed reporters on diplomatic engagements of India with foreign ministers of the US and Sri Lanka related to the situation in West Asia.
“The External Affairs Minister [EAM] yesterday spoke with the US Secretary of State. The two leaders discussed the situation in West Asia and its impact on the global economy, with a particular focus on energy security,” Jaiswal said.
“The minister also spoke with his Sri Lankan counterpart, Vijitha Herath, where they discussed the repercussions of the ongoing conflict. He reaffirmed India’s commitment to its ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Vision Mahasagar.”
(Edited by Tony Rai)
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