A Marshall Islands-flagged LPG carrier, MT Sarv Shakti (IMO No. 9350599), carrying 46,313 MT of LPG as Indian cargo, safely crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 2 May 2026 and is expected to arrive at Visakhapatnam on 13 May 2026, according to an update by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Sunday, 3 May.
The vessel has 20 crew members onboard, including 18 Indian nationals, all reported safe as it transited one of the world’s most high-risk maritime zones amid ongoing West Asia tensions and heightened military activity in the region.
The transit assumes significance as the Strait of Hormuz has been at the centre of recent West Asia tensions, where shipping activity declined sharply amid direct security threats.
Since the conflict began on 28 February 2026, only eight India-bound LPG carriers have managed to cross the Strait of Hormuz, with movements tightly controlled and often dependent on security clearances and naval coordination. The MT Sarv Shakti is among the latest vessels to complete the transit, marking a limited and cautious resumption of energy cargo movement through the corridor.
Recent incidents, including reported drone and missile threats in the Gulf region and heightened naval deployments, have reinforced the volatile operating environment, making each successful passage a critical maritime safety milestone.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which around one-fifth of global oil and a significant share of LPG flows, remains a critical artery for India’s energy imports.
Any disruption in this corridor directly impacts domestic fuel availability, particularly LPG supplies that support household consumption and industrial demand.
Against this backdrop, the safe passage of MT Sarv Shakti reflects continuity in India’s energy supply chain despite severe geopolitical constraints and elevated maritime risk.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said it has put in place coordinated measures with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions and maritime stakeholders to safeguard Indian vessels and seafarers operating in the region.
No incidents involving Indian-flagged vessels were reported in the preceding 24 hours, while all Indian seafarers in the region were confirmed safe, the update noted.
Operationally, the Directorate General of Shipping has activated round-the-clock monitoring mechanisms, handling 8,373 calls and over 17,965 emails since activation to support seafarers and shipping stakeholders.
In parallel, the government has facilitated the repatriation of more than 2,953 Indian seafarers from the Gulf region so far, including 31 in the last 24 hours, as part of precautionary measures linked to the evolving security situation.
The movement of MT Sarv Shakti is part of India’s broader LPG import logistics, where specialised gas carriers transport cargoes from West Asian suppliers to major Indian ports such as Visakhapatnam, a key distribution hub for eastern and southern markets.
Port operations across India remain normal with no congestion reported, indicating that downstream logistics for handling such cargoes continue without disruption despite the external geopolitical environment.
The development highlights the continued resilience of India’s maritime energy supply chain, even as the government maintains heightened surveillance and coordination to ensure safety of vessels, crew and critical cargo movements through one of the world’s most contested maritime corridors.
