Mangaluru: A cargo ship carrying Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) from Texas, USA, arrived at the Mangaluru Port on Sunday, March 22, 2026, providing a critical boost to India’s energy reserves. Simultaneously, a crude oil tanker from Russia reached Indian shores, marking the fifth major energy vessel to arrive via sea routes in the past seven days. These arrivals come at a vital time as India navigates severe supply chain disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia and the strategic blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Recent tracking data shows a steady flow of energy imports despite the regional volatility. On March 18, the crude oil tanker ‘Jag Laadki’ docked at Adani Ports in Gujarat. Additionally, two large LPG carriers, MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, delivered approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of gas on March 16 and 17, respectively. Notably, these three vessels successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway responsible for nearly 20% of the world’s global oil supply, which currently remains a high-risk zone for international shipping.
Despite these successful arrivals, the situation in the Persian Gulf remains tense. Approximately 22 Indian-flagged vessels are currently stranded in the region due to the ongoing maritime standoff. While the Ministry of External Affairs has confirmed that all Indian crew members are safe, the continued closure or restricted movement through the Hormuz Strait poses a significant challenge to global energy security. India, which imports over 80% of its crude oil and 90% of its LPG, is increasingly looking toward non-Hormuz routes and long-term partners like Russia and the US to maintain its domestic energy stability.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas is monitoring these arrivals on a real-time basis. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold a high-level review meeting this evening to assess the impact of these shipments on national inventory levels. The government aims to ensure that the influx of US and Russian fuel is strategically distributed to prevent any domestic shortages, particularly for cooking gas and industrial fuel, as the regional crisis shows no immediate signs of de-escalation.
