Green Asha transits strategic waterway amid US-Israel-Iran war; New Delhi says 100,000 5kg cylinders sold daily, all 460 Indian seafarers safe.
SHARJAH — An eighth India-flagged LPG carrier has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing regional hostilities, with a ninth vessel now awaiting instructions from the Indian Navy, as New Delhi moves to reassure citizens that there is no shortage of cooking gas or fuel across the country.
The LPG carrier Green Asha, carrying 15,400 tonnes of LPG, transited the strait on Sunday, becoming the eighth Indian vessel to do so since the US-Israel-Iran war began on February 28. Meanwhile, the Jag Vikram is currently positioned in the Arabian Gulf, waiting for naval clearance for its own passage through the strategic waterway.
On Saturday, the Indian government confirmed that the Green Sanvi — carrying 46,650 tonnes of LPG with 25 crew onboard — had also transited the strait. The vessel is expected to arrive at Dahej in Gujarat on Tuesday.
India’s Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas reported that 17 India-flagged vessels carrying 460 seafarers are currently in the Arabian Gulf region. The ministry assured that all Indian sailors are safe and that no incident has involved any Indian-flagged vessels.
Iran, meanwhile, has claimed it has implemented a series of precautionary measures to prevent additional risks to ships traversing the Strait of Hormuz.
‘No shortage’ of LPG, government asserts
Contrary to media reports suggesting supply disruptions, the Indian government has asserted that there is no shortage of LPG in the country. Officials stated that nearly 100,000 5kg “free trade LPG” (FTL) cylinders are being sold daily at market rates. Consumers do not need to provide any proof to procure these cylinders from local dealers.
The government also confirmed that all refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories. Petrol pumps remain fully stocked, and authorities urged the public to avoid panic buying.
To counter hoarding and black marketing, the government said it has seized over 50,000 cylinders over the past month and issued show-cause notices to nearly 1,500 dealers. Supplies of natural gas to fertilizer plants are at almost 90 percent of average consumption, the ministry added.
The government is also promoting the use of piped natural gas (PNG), especially in larger cities, to reduce reliance on LPG.
“Domestic PNG connections are a top priority for the government, and 100 percent of it is being supplied,” an official statement said. “Similarly, CNG being used for transportation is also being made available to 100 percent of consumers.”
