An LPG tanker carrying cooking gas for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL) docked at Adani Ports’ Mundra terminal on Monday, bringing a fresh cargo into India’s supply chain even as several energy shipments remain delayed around the Strait of Hormuz.

Adani Ports said the vessel Shivalik arrived at the Mundra LPG terminal carrying 46,000 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas. Of the total cargo, 20,000 tonnes will be discharged at Mundra, while the remaining 26,000 tonnes will be unloaded at Mangalore.

The shipment forms part of LPG supplies ordered by Indian Oil Corporation Ltd, which distributes cooking gas cylinders across India through its nationwide bottling and distribution network.

Why does the Shivalik’s arrival matter?

The cargo’s capacity is modest, yet symbolic as it comes amid disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical energy transit route linking Gulf producers with Asian markets.

India depends heavily on LPG imports routed through the strait. Any slowdown in tanker movement can quickly ripple through the country’s supply chain, affecting bottling plants, distributors and ultimately cylinder availability for households.

While a single cargo does not materially change the national supply balance, it helps keep the distribution system functioning and signals that shipments are still reaching Indian ports despite heightened geopolitical risks.

The Shivalik is one of two India-bound LPG carriers that recently secured passage through the strait. The second vessel, Nanda Devi, is also transporting LPG cargo and is expected to arrive at Kandla port shortly.

Together, the two ships are carrying roughly 92,700 tonnes of LPG, equivalent to just over a day of India’s consumption.

India consumes approximately 80,000–85,000 tonnes of LPG daily, making it one of the world’s largest markets for the cooking fuel.

Are other ships still stranded?

Even as these two vessels move, the broader maritime picture remains uncertain.

External affairs minister S. Jaishankar, speaking to the Financial Times, said India had not secured a general agreement allowing Indian vessels to pass freely through the strait. “There is no blanket arrangement,” he said, indicating that the movement of ships is being handled on a case-by-case basis through diplomatic coordination.

Government data cited in recent reports indicate that about 22 Indian-linked ships and more than 600 seafarers remain in the Gulf region, with authorities working to ensure their safety and facilitate their movement