Indian oil tanker sails safely from UAE's Fujairah amid regional tensions
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New Delhi: An Indian-flagged oil tanker carrying Murban crude oil departed safely from the United Arab Emirates on Sunday as authorities continued to monitor maritime movements in the region.
The vessel Jag Laadki, carrying around 80,800 metric tonnes of Murban crude, sailed from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates for India, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
In a statement, the ministry said the vessel and all Indian seafarers on board were safe, adding that no shipping incident involving Indian seafarers had been reported in the past 24 hours and that all Indian crew members in the region remain safe.
Two Indian-flagged LPG carriers — Shivalik and Nanda Devi — carrying about 92,712 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas had crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday and are currently sailing towards India. They are expected to reach Mundra Port on Monday and Kandla Port on Tuesday, respectively.
Officials said that 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers remain west of the Persian Gulf. The Directorate General of Shipping is continuing to monitor the situation in coordination with ship owners, recruitment and placement service licence agencies and Indian diplomatic missions.
Since the DG Shipping control room was activated, authorities have handled 2,995 phone calls and more than 5,357 emails from seafarers, their families and maritime stakeholders seeking information and assistance.
The DG Shipping has also facilitated the safe repatriation of 276 Indian seafarers from the Gulf region so far, including 23 who returned during the past 24 hours from airports and other regional locations.
Ports across India are closely monitoring vessel movements and cargo operations in view of the evolving maritime situation.
The ministry said it is coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, shipping companies and maritime stakeholders to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers while maintaining continuity in maritime trade and port operations.
Indian diplomatic missions and posts across the region remain in contact with the Indian community and are extending assistance where required, while issuing necessary advisories for the safety and well-being of Indian nationals.
The Ministry of External Affairs is also closely monitoring the situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, emphasising that the safety, security and well-being of Indian nationals in the region remain the government’s highest priority.
A dedicated MEA control room continues to operate to respond to queries from Indian nationals and their families, while coordination is being maintained with state governments and Union Territories.
Indian missions across the region are functioning round the clock, operating 24×7 helplines, maintaining contact with Indian community organisations and issuing regular advisories, the statement added.
With IANS inputs