According to the Ministry of Petroleum, the vessel safely reached the western coast of India on Wednesday morning and is expected to dock at Mangalore within the next 48 hours. The tanker successfully crossed the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz on May 02, marking it as the ninth large LPG tanker to safely reach India after the onset of conflict-related disruptions in the region.
The ship is carrying a total crew of 20 members, including 18 Indian sailors. Initially, the vessel was scheduled to arrive at Visakhapatnam on May 13, 2026, but has now been redirected for an earlier arrival at Mangalore Port.
The development comes at a critical time as the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor, continues to remain impacted by escalating tensions between the United States and Iran. The maritime route has been declared a conflict-sensitive zone for the past 68 days, with 13 Indian-flagged cargo vessels reportedly stranded in the region. Among them are three oil tankers and one large LPG carrier.
India, which depends on imports for nearly 60 percent of its LPG requirements, sources approximately 90 percent of this supply through the Strait of Hormuz, making the disruption a significant challenge for energy security.
Meanwhile, data released by the Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell indicates a sharp 51 percent decline in LPG imports during March. India imported 1,700,000 metric tons of LPG in February 2026, which dropped significantly to 826,000 metric tons in March.
In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Petroleum has implemented strategic measures to ensure uninterrupted supply. Import sources have been widely diversified, with procurement expanded to new global markets. Domestic LPG supply has been given top priority to maintain stability in household energy availability.
The crisis has also triggered notable shifts in consumer and distribution systems. Online LPG cylinder bookings recorded a 99 percent surge, while delivery mechanisms based on Delivery Authentication Code systems witnessed a 94 percent increase, reflecting intensified demand management and distribution monitoring.
Despite the volatility in the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry has assured that continuous efforts are underway to maintain stable supplies of petroleum products and LPG across the country.
The arrival of MT Sarv Shakti underscores India’s adaptive logistics strategy and its efforts to safeguard energy security amid prolonged geopolitical uncertainty in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.
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