LNG carrier ‘Disha’ docked at Dahej Port in Bharuch. Photo credit: ANI
NEW DELHI: The Maltese-flagged carrier Disha arrived at Gujarat’s Dahej Port on Friday carrying 62,370 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The vessel had crossed the Strait of Hormuz amid disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia.The arrival comes days after the presidents of the United States and Iran signed an initial peace agreement aimed at ending the conflict. The tanker’s voyage is among the first signs of shipping traffic resuming through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for India’s energy imports.According to the Bharuch port authority, the vessel safely anchored at the Petronet LNG jetty during the morning hours. The tanker, managed by a shipping corporation of India-led consortium and chartered by Petronet LNG ltd, is the first LNG carrier to reach India after navigating the strategic waterway amid tensions in West Asia.Speaking at an inter-ministerial briefing on Thursday, Director in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Opesh Kumar Sharma, said on Thursday that no other Indian-flagged vessel had exited the Persian Gulf after Disha crossed the Strait of Hormuz on June 15 and proceeded towards India. On the status of Indian vessels in the region, he said, “As of now, no other Indian-flag vessel has moved out after Disha.” He further said the government was working closely with multiple ministries and stakeholders to facilitate the safe return of vessels and energy cargoes.”We are closely coordinating with the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers, Ministry of External Affairs, and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that all and everyone is prepared and our vessels return as soon as possible,” Sharma said.Providing an update on support extended to seafarers, Sharma said, “The control room set up at DG Shipping has handled more than 13,187 calls and more than 29,376 emails.”He added, “In the last 72 hours, a total of 450 calls and 1,077 emails have been received from seafarers, their families, and maritime stakeholders.”On repatriation efforts, Sharma said, “The Ministry, through the Directorate General of Shipping, has facilitated the safe repatriation of more than 3,639 seafarers so far, including 47 in the last 72 hours.”Earlier, on June 16, Sharma had said Disha was expected to arrive at Dahej on June 18 and noted that “15 vessels, comprising 10 Indian-flagged ships and 5 foreign-flagged vessels” had safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz.
