Key Developments
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, in coordination with the DNO, the MoPNG and the IFCIOR, has earmarked 22 vessels for evacuation from the Persian Gulf. The move is aimed at averting disruption to India’s energy imports amid the ongoing Iran‑Israel hostilities.
Vessels Identified for Evacuation
- 20 energy‑critical vessels carrying 2.15 lakh metric tonnes of LNG, 3.21 lakh tonnes of LPG and 16.76 lakh tonnes of crude oil.
- Among them, 10 are Indian‑flagged (including three LNG carriers, ten LPG carriers and seven crude oil tankers).
- Other flags include Marshall Islands, Liberia, Greece, Malta and Portugal.
- Two Indian‑flagged container ships are also slated for safe passage.
Recent Escorts and Arrivals
- Shivalik (LPG carrier) – partially discharged at Mundra, awaiting ship‑to‑ship transfer with IOC.
- Nanda Devi (LPG carrier) – docked at Vadinar, double‑banked with BW Birch for cargo transfer.
- Jag Laadki (crude oil tanker) – arrived at Mundra Port with ~81,000 metric tonnes of Murban crude from UAE; escaped damage when the loading terminal at Fujairah was attacked.
Humanitarian Aspect
Approximately 23,000 Indian seafarers are stranded in the region, including 658 on Indian‑flagged vessels. To date, 472 seafarers have been evacuated by shipping companies. Tragically, three Indian seafarers have died, four were injured and one remains missing on foreign‑flagged ships.
Geographical Distribution of Indian Vessels
- 22 vessels in the Persian Gulf (west of the Strait of Hormuz).
- 2 vessels in the Gulf of Oman (east of the strait).
- 1 vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
- 2 vessels in the Red Sea.
- The government‑owned Shipping Corporation of India owns six of these ships.
Exam Relevance
The episode illustrates several themes frequently examined in the UPSC syllabus:
- Energy security – dependence on imported LNG, LPG and crude oil; the need for safe maritime corridors.
- Maritime strategy – role of the Indian Navy and inter‑ministerial coordination in protecting commercial shipping.
- Geopolitics of the Middle East – impact of regional conflicts (Iran‑Israel) on global energy markets and Indian trade routes.
- International maritime law – freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the legal basis for naval escorts.
Way Forward
To mitigate future disruptions, the government may consider:
- Strengthening maritime domain awareness through expanded cooperation with regional partners and satellite monitoring.
- Diversifying energy import sources and routes, including greater reliance on LNG terminals in the east coast.
- Developing contingency protocols for rapid evacuation of vessels and seafarers during geopolitical crises.
- Enhancing the capacity of the Indian Navy for sustained escort missions in high‑risk zones.
These steps will bolster India’s resilience against external shocks and safeguard its critical energy supplies.