Bhuj, March 17 (NationPress) The Indian-registered liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tanker 'Nanda Devi' docked at Vadinar Port in Gujarat around 11:25 a.m. on Tuesday, marking its status as the second LPG carrier to arrive on the west coast this week, following the earlier arrival of 'Shivalik' at Mundra Port a day before, as confirmed by officials.

The two vessels were transporting essential LPG supplies to India after navigating an especially perilous route through the Strait of Hormuz, where maritime traffic has faced interruptions due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel.

This strait serves as a crucial chokepoint for global energy shipments, and commercial vessel movements have significantly decreased since late February due to intensified military activity and warnings from Iran.

Authorities at Kandla Port issued instructions on Monday prioritizing the berthing of all LPG-carrying ships to hasten unloading and mitigate delays amidst rising concerns about domestic supply.

In a communication to vessel agents, the Deendayal Port Authority revealed that directives from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways mandated priority berthing for LPG-laden vessels to ensure a steady distribution of cooking gas nationwide.

The 'Shivalik', carrying approximately 46,000 tonnes of LPG from Qatar, completed its nine-day journey, docking at Mundra on Monday evening after port authorities arranged for documentation and priority docking, enabling immediate discharge operations.

Officials noted that both vessels are part of broader efforts to bolster LPG supplies for both household and industrial use, as India continues to depend heavily on imports for a substantial portion of its energy requirements.

Prior to the arrival of these two tankers, numerous Indian-flagged ships and hundreds of seafarers were anchored in the Persian Gulf, while maritime insurers and shipping firms reassessed their routes through this volatile region.

The arrival of the Nanda Devi at Kandla coincides with extensive diplomatic and logistical initiatives, including talks with regional authorities and coordination with naval assets, aimed at safeguarding merchant shipping.

Indian maritime authorities have reassured that all Indian seafarers operating in the Gulf region are safe, with no reports of incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels in recent days.

While the Nanda Devi has arrived, another vessel, 'Jag Laadki', is currently en route to India, carrying nearly 81,000 tonnes of crude oil from the UAE.

According to government data, there are presently 22 Indian-flagged vessels located to the west of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, with a total of 611 seafarers aboard.