Indian-flagged tanker ‘Jag Laadki’ reaches Gujarat from war-zone, says Adani Ports — Video emerges

The Indian-flagged tanker 'Jag Laadki', carrying around 80,886 metric tonnes (MT) of crude oil, reached the Mundra Port in Gujarat on Wednesday, officials said. ‘Jag Laadki’ is the fourth vessel to reach India amid the West Asia conflict, and the second to dock at Adani Group's Mundra Port.

Jag Laadki arrives! WATCH

According to news agency PTI, Adani Ports, which operates Mundra Port, said in a statement that the crude oil carried by Jag Laadki was sourced from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and loaded at Fujairah Port.

"Measuring 274.19 metres in length overall and 50.04 metres in beam, the tanker boasts a deadweight tonnage of approximately 164,716 tonnes and a gross tonnage of about 84,735 tonnes," it was quoted as saying in the report.

'The tanker's arrival at the Mundra Port underscores the facility's critical role in handling substantial crude imports," it said.

"This delivery supports a major refinery that relies on such shipments to maintain operations and bolster India's energy security during supply disruptions in the region," Adani Ports added.

“The port provided the safe berthing of the vessel and maritime coordination in safeguarding vital energy lifelines of India,” it said.

Fujairah Port in the UAE faced drone and missile attacks during the ongoing Israel-US and Iran war.

How many ships have arrived in India from conflict-hit Middle East so far?

Four Indian-flagged vessels have safely navigated through the conflict zone in the Middle East.

On Tuesday, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) carrier 'Nanda Devi' docked at Vadinar port in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of LPG, navigating through the Strait of Hormuz.

On Monday, another vessel — 'Shivalik' — carrying LPG docked at Mundra Port.

The two LPG carriers began their journey on 13 March and crossed the Strait of Hormuz early on 14 March.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on 14 March that two Indian ships — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — crossed the Strait of Hormuz.

"Each of the ships is carrying in excess of 46,000 metric tons of LPG, with a cumulative of 92,700 metric tons," Jaiswal had said.

Another tanker, Jag Prakash, carrying gasoline from Oman to Africa, had previously safely crossed the strait and is en route to Tanzania, PTI reported.

According to Marinetraffic.com, Jag Prakash is an oil/chemical tanker, sailing under the flag of India. Her length overall (LOA) is 183 metres and her width is 32.22 metres.

Originally, there were 28 Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz when the conflict in West Asia began following US-Israel attacks on Iran. Of these, 24 were on the west side of the strait and 4 on the east side. In the last one week, two vessels from each side have managed to sail to safety.

Blockade of the Strait of Hormuz

The conflict between the US, Israel and Iran has led to a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the main transit route for Gulf energy supplies.

The Strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that connects the Persian Gulf to the open ocean, has effectively been shut following the US and Israel attack on Iran and Tehran's sweeping retaliation.

While India has partly offset crude supply disruptions by sourcing oil from countries including Russia, gas supplies to industrial users have been curtailed, and LPG availability to commercial establishments such as hotels and restaurants has been reduced.

India's crude imports

India, which relies heavily on energy shipments from the region, is the world's fourth-largest buyer of LNG and the second-largest buyer of liquefied petroleum gas.

India imports about 88% of its crude oil, 50% of natural gas and 60% of LPG needs, ANI reported. Before the US-Israel strikes on Iran on 28 February and Tehran's retaliation, more than half of India's crude imports, about 30% of gas and 85-90% of LPG imports came from Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

(With inputs from agencies)