Amid rising geopolitical tensions in West Asia, India has received significant relief as the LPG tanker ‘Simi’ safely arrived at Deendayal Port in Kandla, Gujarat, carrying nearly 20,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The vessel had crossed the sensitive Strait of Hormuz on May 13 before heading toward India.
According to reports, the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker was transporting a large consignment of propane and butane gas. A total of 21 crew members were onboard, including 8 Ukrainian and 13 Filipino nationals.
Experts believe that the increasing tensions in West Asia could affect global energy supply chains. In such a situation, the safe delivery of LPG to India is considered crucial for the country’s energy security. After reaching Kandla Port, the gas is being transferred to storage terminals through pipelines.
Sources suggest that ‘Simi’ is the 11th LPG tanker to cross the Strait of Hormuz amid the current tensions. Earlier, several oil and gas tankers heading toward India were also escorted through the strategically important maritime route under heightened security monitoring.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy corridors, through which a significant portion of global oil and gas trade passes every day.
