2 India-bound LPG vessels cross Strait of Hormuz safely, arrive by May 18
Synopsis
As Gulf tensions keep global shipping on edge, two India-bound LPG tankers carrying over 66,000 MT of cargo have cleared the Strait of Hormuz without incident. Meanwhile, an Indian dhow caught fire and sank in Omani waters — all 14 crew rescued. The DG Shipping control room has now handled over 9,000 calls since activation, underscoring the scale of India's maritime crisis response.
Key Takeaways
SYMI (Marshall Islands-flagged) crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 13 May 2026 , carrying 19,965 MT of LPG; expected at Kandla on 16 May 2026 .
NV SUNSHINE (Vietnam-flagged) crossed on 14 May 2026 , carrying 46,427 MT of LPG; expected at New Mangalore on 18 May 2026 .
Indian dhow MSV HAJI ALI caught fire and sank in Omani waters on 13 May 2026 ; all 14 crew members rescued by the Omani Coast Guard .
DG Shipping Control Room has handled 9,266 calls and over 20,592 emails since activation.
More than 3,158 Indian seafarers repatriated from the Gulf region so far, including 62 in the last 72 hours .
Port operations across India remain normal with no congestion reported.
Two India-bound LPG carriers have safely navigated the Strait of Hormuz and are on course to dock at Indian ports by 18 May 2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways confirmed on Thursday, 14 May 2026. The update comes as the Centre continues daily maritime briefings amid heightened regional tensions in the Gulf.
Key Vessel Movements
The SYMI, a Marshall Islands-flagged LPG carrier transporting 19,965 MT of LPG cargo, crossed the Strait on 13 May 2026 with 21 foreign crew members aboard and is expected to berth at Kandla on 16 May 2026. The second vessel, NV SUNSHINE, a Vietnam-flagged LPG carrier carrying 46,427 MT of LPG cargo, crossed the Strait on 14 May 2026 with 24 foreign crew members and is scheduled to arrive at New Mangalore on 18 May 2026.
MSV Haji Ali Incident: Fire and Rescue in Omani Waters
In a separate development, an Indian dhow, the mechanised sailing vessel MSV HAJI ALI, reportedly encountered an incident in Omani waters in the early hours of 13 May 2026 during its voyage from Somalia to Sharjah, UAE. The incident led to a fire onboard and the subsequent sinking of the vessel. All 14 crew members were safely rescued by the Omani Coast Guard and have since reached Dibba Port, Oman. The ministry confirmed that necessary formalities with local authorities have been completed and the Government of India remains in close coordination with Oman's authorities, Indian Mission officials, and relevant maritime agencies.
Broader Maritime Safety Picture
The ministry noted that in the past 72 hours, the MSV HAJI ALI incident was the only reported event involving Indian vessels or foreign vessels carrying Indian seafarers. 'All other Indian seafarers currently reported in the region are safe,' the ministry stated. Port operations across India remain normal, with no congestion reported at any major facility.
DG Shipping Response Operations
The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) Control Room has handled 9,266 calls and more than 20,592 emails since activation. In the past 72 hours alone, 377 calls and 834 emails were processed. The ministry has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 3,158 Indian seafarers from various locations across the Gulf region, including 62 in the last 72 hours. The scale of the coordination effort reflects the Centre's sustained focus on maritime safety as regional uncertainty persists.
Point of View
But the daily briefing format itself signals that normalcy is far from restored. India's dependence on Gulf energy corridors means any sustained disruption to Hormuz transit would hit LPG and crude imports hard — a vulnerability the Centre has not publicly quantified. The MSV HAJI ALI fire, while resulting in no casualties, is a reminder that smaller, less-monitored vessels in the region carry real risk. The DG Shipping control room's 9,000-plus calls since activation point to a crisis-management apparatus working at sustained intensity — the question is how long that tempo can be maintained without structural fatigue.
NationPress
3 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Which India-bound LPG vessels safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz?
Two LPG carriers — SYMI (Marshall Islands-flagged, carrying 19,965 MT) and NV SUNSHINE (Vietnam-flagged, carrying 46,427 MT) — safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 13 and 14 May 2026 respectively. Both are carrying LPG cargo destined for Indian ports.
When will the LPG vessels arrive in India?
SYMI is expected to dock at Kandla on 16 May 2026, while NV SUNSHINE is scheduled to arrive at New Mangalore on 18 May 2026, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
What happened to the Indian dhow MSV HAJI ALI?
The MSV HAJI ALI reportedly caught fire and sank in Omani waters in the early hours of 13 May 2026 while voyaging from Somalia to Sharjah, UAE. All 14 crew members were safely rescued by the Omani Coast Guard and have reached Dibba Port, Oman.
How many Indian seafarers have been repatriated from the Gulf so far?
The Directorate General of Shipping has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 3,158 Indian seafarers from the Gulf region since operations began, including 62 in the last 72 hours alone.
Are Indian ports operating normally amid the Gulf tensions?
Yes, port operations across India remain normal with no congestion reported, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways as of 14 May 2026.
