Priyanshu Priya  Apr 07, 2026

Sixteen Indian-flagged vessels remain stranded in the Persian Gulf amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, even as cargo movements continue through the Strait of Hormuz, and two LPG carriers have managed to cross and head towards India, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has said.

The vessels carrying 433 Indian seafarers are part of a wider fleet still operating in the region, underscoring continued disruption in one of the world’s most critical energy corridors. Authorities are closely tracking the situation, with the Directorate General of Shipping coordinating with shipowners, RPSL agencies and Indian missions to monitor maritime safety.

 While speaking to reporters during an inter-ministerial briefing on the situation in West Asia, Mangal stated that Green Sanvi and Green Asha are transporting 46,650 tonnes and 15,500 tonnes of LPG, respectively and have successfully transited the strait and are expected to reach Indian ports on 7 April and 9 April. The two vessels have 25 and 26 crew members onboard, respectively. Their passage takes the total number of Indian-flagged LPG tankers that have cleared the waterway since tensions escalated following the 28 February strikes on Iran to eight.

“Indian maritime operations remain safe and uninterrupted amid West Asia crisis. 16 Indian-flagged vessels with 433 seafarers are in the region; two LPG carriers, Green Sanvi and Green Asha, safely crossed Strait of Hormuz," Mangal said.

The stranded fleet comprises a mix of vessels, including one LNG carrier, two LPG tankers (one loaded and one empty), six crude carriers (five carrying cargo and one empty), three container ships, one dredger, one chemical carrier and two bulk carriers, highlighting the range of cargo flows affected. 

Additionally, at the onset of the current phase of tensions, 28 Indian-flagged vessels were positioned around the Strait of Hormuz. Of these, 10 have since moved to safety, eight via the western route and two via the eastern corridor, while the remaining continue to operate under close monitoring.

Officials also said there is no confirmed information on Iran imposing additional transit charges for passage through the strait. “We have no information on such payments,” Mangal said.

The development is significant for India’s energy security as the country meets nearly 60 per cent of its LPG demand through imports, with about 90 per cent sourced from West Asia. Despite intermittent disruptions, Iran has indicated that “non-hostile vessels” may be allowed transit subject to coordination, though shipping activity through the strait remains uneven.

Earlier movements have provided some supply relief. LPG carriers BW TYR and BW ELM, together carrying around 94,000 tonnes, reached Mumbai on 31 March and New Mangalore on 1 April, respectively. In addition, four Indian-flagged LPG tankers, which are Pine Gas, Jag Vasant, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, delivered over 1.85 lakh tonnes of LPG to Indian ports in March.

Separately, crude carrier Jag Laadki, carrying 80,886 tonnes from the UAE, arrived at Mundra on 18 March, while Jag Prakash, which had earlier crossed the strait with a gasoline shipment from Oman, is currently en route to Tanzania.

Government Refinery To Defer Maintenance Shutdown
The disruption is now feeding into domestic fuel planning, with state-run refiners moving to sustain supply amid tighter import flows. Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) have deferred scheduled maintenance shutdowns at select refineries to maintain steady fuel availability, while operating at elevated utilisation levels, a senior government official said.

However, not all maintenance has been deferred. Privately-owned Nayara Energy will proceed with a planned 35-day shutdown at its Vadinar refinery starting 9-10 April, citing operational and safety requirements. The shutdown, deferred earlier due to sanctions-related constraints, is expected to marginally tighten LPG availability, with any shortfall likely to be bridged through higher imports.

Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, said all refineries are operating at high utilisation levels, with some exceeding rated capacity, supported by adequate crude inventories. She added that there is no shortage of petrol or diesel, even as refiners ramp up LPG production to offset supply pressures.

“All refineries are operating at peak capacity, with some exceeding 100 per cent utilisation,” Sharma said.

However, LPG output has seen a slight dip in recent days. India’s average daily LPG production has fallen to around 46,000–47,000 tonnes this week, compared with roughly 50,000 tonnes in the final week of March, Sharma said, attributing this to variations in crude mix processed at refineries, noting that the fluctuation is minor and not indicative of a broader supply issue.

“As far as LPG production is concerned, there may be a slight fluctuation in quantity produced because it does depend on the crude mix. So, we are still producing more than 46,000-47,000 tonnes per day domestically,” she said.

Despite the dip this week, officials said there have been no reports of shortages at LPG distributorships, with supply supported by both domestic output and imports. Around 800,000 tonnes of LPG cargoes have already been secured from suppliers including the United States, Russia and Australia, while India holds sufficient crude and fuel inventories to meet about 60 days of consumption.

Earlier, on 26 March, the government had stated, “Following the LPG control order issued by this Ministry, domestic refinery production has been ramped up by 40 per cent, bringing daily LPG output to 50,000 tonnes (more than 60 per cent of our requirement) against a total daily requirement of around 80,000 tonnes.”

Fertiliser Gas Allocation Raised
The government has stepped up natural gas allocations to key sectors, with the fertiliser industry and city gas distribution (CGD) networks receiving additional supplies. In line with an earlier announcement, natural gas allocation to the fertiliser sector has been increased from 70–75 per cent to 90 per cent starting Monday. The revised allocation is based on the industry’s average monthly consumption over the past six months.

Similarly, industrial and commercial consumers, including CGD entities, will receive an additional 10 per cent allocation. This raises their total allocation to 90 per cent, compared with 80 per cent under the March 9 order, which was also based on average consumption over the previous six months.

The move is seen as a significant support measure for the fertiliser sector ahead of the upcoming Kharif season, as it helps shield companies from making expensive spot market purchases. Officials noted that the higher allocation is particularly crucial at a time when global gas prices remain volatile due to geopolitical tensions.

Earlier, a media report indicated that India had been securing natural gas for fertiliser production at prices as high as USD 19 per metric million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU) since the escalation of tensions in West Asia, underscoring the cost pressures on the sector.

Commenting on the decision, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), said, “The [March 9] order had instituted a 70 per cent domestic natural gas allocation to the fertiliser sector. However, considering the spot prices, the allocation was revised to 90 per cent.”

Food Stocks Stable
India’s food security position remains robust, with total buffer stocks standing at 602 lakh metric tonnes (LMT), officials said. This includes 222 LMT of wheat and 380 LMT of rice, according to C. Shikha, Joint Secretary at the Department of Food and Public Distribution.

“This is enough to take care of [the country’s] PDS requirements as well as emergency requirement, if any [arises],” she said.

Officials indicated that essential commodity prices have remained largely stable, with no signs of abnormal fluctuations. Higher pulses output is estimated at 266 LMT this year, compared to 257 LMT last year, is expected to further support domestic supply.

Edible oil and sugar availability continues to be adequate, contributing to controlled inflation. Shikha added that edible oil supplies remain “comfortable”, supported by steady imports from countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina and Brazil. The government is also utilising the Open Market Sale Scheme to manage prices when required.

On the external front, the government confirmed that 1,777 Indian nationals have been evacuated from Iran through Armenia and Azerbaijan, including 895 students, amid the evolving situation in West Asia.

Authorities said they are maintaining close coordination with countries in the region, while embassies are functioning around the clock with dedicated control rooms to assist citizens. The government has also urged people not to resort to panic buying of fuel or LPG, assuring that supplies are adequate and distribution channels remain stable.