India’s Second LPG Carrier ‘Nanda Devi’ Docks at Gujarat Port

India’s battle against the cooking gas shortage just got a major boost. Specifically, the country’s second LPG carrier, ‘Nanda Devi’, arrived safely at Vadinar port in Gujarat early Tuesday morning, March 17, 2026. Initially, there were fears that the West Asia war would block all gas imports. Now, following the arrival of the ship ‘Shivalik’ yesterday, this vessel brings another 46,500 metric tonnes of much-needed fuel to Indian shores.

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The Hormuz Crossing

Look, navigating the Strait of Hormuz is currently a high-risk mission. Previously, the area was nearly closed due to US-Israel-Iran clashes. Indeed, officials credit strong diplomatic ties with both Iran and world leaders for this safe passage. Furthermore, the Indian and Iranian navies worked together to escort the vessel through the “Red Line” zone.

Vessel at a Glance:

• Ship Name: Nanda Devi (Mother Vessel)

• Cargo: 46,500 Metric Tonnes of LPG

• Port of Arrival: Vadinar (Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat)

• Next Step: Ship-to-ship (STS) transfer to the daughter ship, BW Birch.

Distribution Plan: Reaching the East Coast

Actually, this gas is not just for Gujarat. Specifically, Sushil Kumar Singh, Chairman of the Deendayal Port Authority, explained that the cargo will be split to help other states.

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Priority Operations at Vadinar

Indeed, the Ministry of Ports has issued a “top priority” order. Specifically, all other port work must wait while LPG vessels are cleared. Moreover, the transfer process to the daughter ship happens at a rate of 1,000 tonnes per hour. Therefore, the entire operation at Vadinar will take about two days to finish before the BW Birch sails for the East Coast.

Context: The 2026 Energy Crunch

While these two ships are a relief, the crisis is not over. Actually, India imports nearly 60% of its LPG. Recently, the blockade in the Gulf has cut supply to hotels and forced many to switch to induction or firewood. Specifically, 22 other Indian-flagged ships are still waiting in the Persian Gulf for their turn to cross. So, every ton of gas from the Nanda Devi is vital for keeping home kitchens running.

In short, the Nanda Devi’s arrival is a victory for India’s energy diplomacy. Next, I can track the arrival of the ‘Jag Laadki’, which is currently carrying 81,000 tonnes of crude oil toward Mundra. Right.

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