Russian oil tanker MT Aqua Tita arrives off Mangaluru port amid Middle East tensions

A Russian oil tanker chartered by Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) arrived off the Indian coast on Sunday, underscoring ongoing concerns over global energy supplies amid escalating tensions in Middle East.

The vessel, MT Aqua Titan, is currently anchored around 10 nautical miles off the coast of Mangaluru in the Arabian Sea, having been expected a day earlier.The arrival comes as international energy markets remain volatile, with supply chains disrupted by the intensifying conflict in the region, now in its fourth week. Key maritime routes, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, continue to face uncertainty, affecting the steady flow of crude oil and liquefied gas.

Earlier today, a cargo ship transporting liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from Texas in the United States docked at New Mangalore Port, further boosting India’s energy imports. In a move aimed at facilitating smoother operations, the Shipping Ministry recently announced a waiver of cargo-related charges for crude oil and LPG shipments at the port between 14 and 31 March. Officials have also confirmed that there is currently no congestion at any Indian port.

Providing an operational update, Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary at the Shipping Ministry, stated that all 22 Indian vessels and 611 sailors operating in the Persian Gulf region remain safe. He added that authorities are closely monitoring developments and have reported no maritime incidents in the past 24 hours.Meanwhile, India’s broader energy logistics continue to adapt to the evolving situation. The Indian-flagged tanker *Jag Laadki* recently reached Mundra port in Gujarat, while LPG carriers *MT Shivalik* and *MT Nanda Devi* safely navigated the Strait of Hormuz earlier this month, delivering over 92,000 metric tonnes of LPG.Domestically, officials have sought to reassure the public over fuel availability. The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas reported a significant drop in panic LPG bookings, with 5.5 million recorded on Thursday, indicating stabilising consumer sentiment. Authorities maintain that adequate stock levels are available nationwide, despite rising concerns and a reported 25 per cent increase in industrial diesel prices.Elsewhere, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also chaired a high-level review meeting on Sunday, focusing on ensuring uninterrupted supply, stable logistics, and efficient distribution of critical energy resources across the country.