Indian-flagged LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi reach Mundra and Kandla after crossing Strait of Hormuz
Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on 17 March 2026 thanked the crews of Indian-flagged LPG carriers MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz with about 92,712 tonnes of LPG and reached Mundra and Kandla on 16 and 17 March.
Summary
MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, two Indian-flagged LPG carriers fully manned by Indian seafarers, crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 13 March 2026 carrying about 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG and reached Mundra and Kandla on 16 and 17 March. Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal interacted with both crews by video conference on 17 March, noting the vessels had waited nearly two weeks in a high-risk zone, and called seafarers the 'unsung heroes of global trade'. Major ports are prioritising berthing of LPG vessels, and six LPG vessels have been received at major ports over the past few days. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea; the US Energy Information Administration calls it one of the world's most important oil chokepoints.
Key facts
- Vessels
- MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi (Indian-flagged)
- Cargo
- About 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG
- Crossed Hormuz
- 13 March 2026
- Arrived
- Mundra and Kandla, 16–17 March 2026
- Minister
- Sarbananda Sonowal, video interaction on 17 March
- LPG vessels received
- Six at major ports in recent days
- Static link
- Strait of Hormuz — between Oman and Iran; links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea
Practice MCQs 3 questions
Indian-flagged LPG carriers MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi, which crossed the Strait of Hormuz in March 2026, arrived at which Indian ports?
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Correct answer: D — Mundra and Kandla
The two vessels, carrying about 92,712 tonnes of LPG, arrived at Mundra and Kandla on 16 and 17 March 2026.
Approximately how much LPG were MT Shivalik and MT Nanda Devi carrying together when they crossed the Strait of Hormuz on 13 March 2026?
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Correct answer: A — About 92,712 tonnes
The two carriers were carrying approximately 92,712 metric tonnes of LPG.
Consider the following statements about the Strait of Hormuz, crossed by the LPG carriers Shivalik and Nanda Devi in March 2026: 1. It lies between Oman and Iran. 2. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Red Sea. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. The Strait of Hormuz lies between Oman and Iran and connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, not the Red Sea (EIA).