Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, connected Tuesday (March 17, 2026) commended the courageousness and professionalism of Indian seafarers aboard LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi, which safely navigated the strategically delicate Strait of Hormuz amid heightened determination tensions.
According to the Ministry for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mr. Sonowal interacted with the unit members via video conference, expressing the nation’s gratitude for ensuring the uninterrupted proviso of captious LPG cargo. He described the enactment arsenic a “heartfelt look of the nation’s gratitude” for their unwavering consciousness of work successful challenging maritime conditions.
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The enactment was attended by elder officials. The masters and unit of some vessels besides joined the interaction.
High-risk zone
Carrying astir 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG, the 2 Indian-flagged vessels successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz connected March 13 earlier arriving successful India connected March 16 and 17. The ships had remained stationed successful a high-risk portion for astir 2 weeks amid escalating information concerns successful West Asia earlier proceeding connected their voyage.
Praising their composure, Mr. Sonowal said the unit demonstrated exceptional vigilance and professionalism nether pressure, ensuring the harmless transition of captious vigor supplies and strengthening India’s vigor security. He termed seafarers “unsung heroes of planetary trade,” highlighting their important relation successful maintaining proviso chains contempt being acold from home.
The Minister besides underlined that the palmy voyage, with afloat Indian crew, reflected the resilience and capableness of India’s maritime workforce. He reaffirmed the government’s committedness to strengthening the maritime assemblage nether the enactment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and ensuring the payment and planetary designation of Indian seafarers.
The Directorate General of Shipping continues to show the evolving concern successful coordination with stakeholders, including vessel owners, recruitment agencies and Indian missions abroad. The authorities has besides directed ports to prioritise LPG vessels and widen operational enactment to minimise disruptions.

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