Bharuch: In a major relief for India’s energy sector amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, LNG tanker Disha arrived at the Dahej LNG Terminal in Bharuch district on Thursday after successfully crossing the Strait of Hormuz.

Carrying 62,370 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG), the vessel became the first Indian LNG tanker to navigate the strategically important waterway since tensions in the region escalated more than three-and-a-half months ago.

The tanker has docked at Dahej Port and unloading operations have commenced. The LNG cargo will be supplied to various parts of the country.

LNG Carrier Disha is managed by a consortium led by the Shipping Corporation of India and is chartered by Petronet LNG. It is also among the first commercial vessels to transit the Strait following the announcement of a preliminary agreement between the United States and Iran, raising hopes of an easing of tensions in the region.

Upesh Kumar Sharma, Director in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said that 15 vessels comprising 10 Indian-flagged and five foreign-flagged ships have so far safely navigated through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz. He added that the Ministry, through the Directorate General of Shipping, is maintaining close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, shipping companies, and other stakeholders to safeguard Indian seafarers and vessels operating in the region.

The vital shipping route had become largely inaccessible after the United States and Israel carried out military strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory action from Tehran and causing significant disruption to maritime traffic in the region. DeshGujarat