India's LPG Tanker Shivalik Docks At Mundra After Crossing Strait of Hormuz

Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 17:45 IST

India's LPG tanker Shivalik arrived at Mundra Port from Qatar with 40,000 metric tonnes of cooking gas, receiving special transit clearance through the Strait of Hormuz.

India’s LPG tanker Shivalik arrived at Mundra Port in Gujarat’s Kutch district on Monday morning after crossing the Strait of Hormuz, carrying roughly 40,000 metric tonnes of cooking gas from Qatar. A critical delivery, at a time when the West Asia conflict has left LPG supplies strained across the country.

The vessel, operated by the Shipping Corporation of India, sailed from Ras Laffan in Qatar and docked at around 9 AM. Iran had been restricting movement through the Strait of Hormuz amid its conflict with the United States and Israel, but eventually granted special transit clearance to the Shivalik, and to a second tanker, the Nanda Devi, following intensive diplomatic negotiations between New Delhi and Tehran. The Indian Navy escorted both ships through the volatile corridor.

As many as 24 Indian-flagged vessels were stuck in the Persian Gulf when the crisis peaked. Two have just made it through, with The Nanda Devi now expected at Kandla Port, also in Gujarat, on March 17. Together, the two tankers are bringing approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG, enough to fill nearly 68 lakh domestic cylinders. India’s average daily consumption sits at around 55 lakh.

Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Shipping, confirmed on Saturday that all Indian seafarers in the region were safe. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar called the transit a practical win for India’s diplomatic approach with Tehran. But he made it clear that no blanket clearance for all Indian ships is in place yet. Each vessel is being handled on a case-by-case basis.

Iran’s representative to India, Abdul Majid Hakeem Ilahi, reiterated on Saturday that Indian vessels would be allowed through the strait. For millions of Indian households already facing LPG shortages, Monday’s arrival is a blessing. A gas cylinder is finally on its way home.

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