16 India-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf with 433 seafarers onboard: Govt

In the last two days, two Indian-flagged LPG vessels, Green Sanvi and Green Asha, have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz. (Picture for representational purpose only)
| Photo Credit:
cueapi

There are 16 Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf with 433 seafarers onboard, Mukesh Mangal, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) told reporters at the inter-ministerial briefing on the situation in West Asia Monday.

“At present, there are 16 India-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf with 433 Indian seafarers on board,” he stated, adding, “The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) is closely monitoring the situation with ship owners, RPSL (recruitment and placement services licence) agencies and Indian Missions.”

According to Mr. Mangal, of the 16 India-flagged vessels, one is carrying liquified natural gas (LNG), two liquified petroleum gas (LPG) vessels of which one is empty, six are crude oil tankers of which one is empty, three are container ships, one is a dredger, two are bulk containers and one is carrying chemical products.

The senior official also informed that in the last two days, two Indian-flagged LPG vessels, Green Sanvi and Green Asha, have safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

The former is carrying about 46,650 MT of LPG and has 25 seafarers on board whilst Green Asha is carrying 15,405 MT of LPG and has 26 seafarers on board.

Gren Sanvi is expected to reach its destination in India April 7, whilst Green Asha April 9.

Fertilizer industry, CGD get additional allocation

Pursuant to a previous announcement, starting Monday, allocation of natural gas to the fertilizer industry has been hiked from 70-75% to 90%. This is premised on their average monthly consumption assessed from the past six months.

Further, other industrial and commercial sectors, including city-gas distributors (CGD) would be receiving an additional 10% allocation, thus, taking the total allocation to 90% from the March 9 order which allocated for 80% of their requirements based on the average monthly consumption from the past six months.

The additional allocation is particularly an essential boost to the fertiliser sector ahead of the Kharif season, and shields from making additional purchases from the spot market. For perspective, a senior government official had informed earlier that India secured natural gas for its fertiliser industry for as high as $19 per metric million British Thermal Unit (MMBTU) since the West Asia tensions commenced.

Speaking to reporters, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), mentioning about increased allocation, stated, “The [March 9] order had instituted for 70% domestic natural gas allocation to the fertiliser sector. However, considering the spot prices, the allocation was revised to 90%.”

‘Adequate buffer stock of wheat, rice’

Addressing reporters at the same briefing, C. Shikha, Joint Secretary at the Dept of Food and Public Distribution informed that India 222 lakh metric tonne (LMT) of buffer stock of wheat and 380 LMT of rice, cumulatively, 602 LMT

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

The senior official added domestic availability of edible oil remains “comfortable”. She added that imports from key partners, as Indonesia, Malaysia, Argentina and Brazil “continue steadily”.

State-owned refineries to postpone maintenance shutdowns

Speaking to reporters, a senior official also informed that state-owned refiners would be delaying maintenance-related shutdowns to cushion for domestic requirements amidst the ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Only privately-owned refiner Nayara Energy is expected to shut temporarily for maintenance starting April 9. The Rosneft-based refiner, as was reported back in December, could not shut as European sanctions which made contractors unwilling to engage with the company.

Published – April 06, 2026 09:18 pm IST