Two ships carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) on Thursday crossed the Strait of Hormuz at a crucial point, according to updates from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing, Additional Secretary (MoPSW), Mukesh Mangal confirmed that the Symi (IMO: 9406269) was the first of the two that crossed the strait on Wednesday, while the NV Sunshine (IMO: 9350288) did so on Thursday.
This brings the total number of LPG vessels that reached India—since the start of the war in the Gulf—to 13.
The Marshall Islands-flagged Symi is carrying 19,965 metric tonnes of LPG cargo loaded from Qatar's Ras Laffan Port with 21 foreign crew members onboard, and is headed to the Deendayal Port.
The Vietnamese-flagged NV Sunshine is carrying 46,427 metric tonnes of LPG cargo loaded from the Sharjah Anchorage with 21 foreign crew members onboard, and is headed to the Deendayal Port as well.
The LPG cargo from both these vessels belong to the state-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC).
What makes the transit timing crucial?
The passage of the two tankers through the embattled strait is extremely crucial, as it comes amid an attack on the cargo ship MSV Haji Ali (MMSI: 419908021).
The Indian-flagged wooden mechanised sailing vessel (MSV) had been struck by unknown drone attack in Omani waters while travelling from Somalia to Sharjah on Wednesday, which caused a fire onboard, and its subsequent sinking.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday condemned the attack on the Haji Ali as “unacceptable”, but did not blame any particular country for it.
“We deplore the fact that commercial shipping and civilian mariners continue to be targeted,” the MEA said in a statement.
“All 14 crew members onboard were safely rescued by the Omani Coast Guard and have reached the Dibba Port in Oman. The crew is reported to be safe, and necessary formalities with the local authorities have been completed,” Mangal said, assuring that they would be brought to India soon.