Smoke rises in the Fujairah oil industry zone, caused by debris after interception of a drone by air defences
| Photo Credit:
REUTERS
An Indian-flagged tanker carrying around 80,800 tonne of crude oil safely left Fujairah for Mundra Port on Sunday, even as the UAE’s major bunkering hub and crude export terminal was hit by a drone attack a day earlier.
Jag Laadki, which is a Suezmax, is the fourth Indian-flagged vessel to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Before this, two very large gas carriers (VLGCs) and a very large crude carrier (VLCC) safely crossed 34 km-long the world’s most critical energy choke point.
“On March 14, 2026, while the Indian-flag vessel Jag Laadki was loading crude oil at the Fujairah Single Point Mooring (SPM), the Fujairah oil terminal was attacked. The vessel sailed safely from Fujairah at 1030 hrs IST today carrying about 80,800 tonne of Murban crude oil and is bound for India. The vessel and all Indian seafarers onboard are safe,” the government said.
Besides, two Indian-flag VLGCs—Shivalik and Nanda Devi—carrying about 92,712 tonne of LPG crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Saturday.
Shivalik and Nanda Devi are currently on passage to India and are scheduled to reach Mundra Port on March 16 and Kandla Port on March 17, respectively.
“At present, 22 Indian-flagged vessels with 611 seafarers remain west of the Persian Gulf region. The Directorate General of Shipping continues to monitor the situation in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies and Indian Missions,” the government informed.
Of the vessels west of the Strait of Hormuz, 6 are VLGCs, LNG carriers (1), VLCCs (4), chemicals & other products (1), container ships (3), bulk carriers (2) and 1 dredger. Besides, one vessel is empty ballast (no cargo) and two others are in dry dock (repair or maintenance).
The government is engaged with key stakeholders, including GCC countries, Iran, the US and Israel at political and diplomatic levels to underline India’s priorities, particularly energy security and safe maritime transit.
Efforts on
Efforts are ongoing to ensure safe and uninterrupted passage for these Indian-bound vessels as they remain on standby in the Gulf region.
The Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region. The safety, well-being and security of Indian nationals in the region remain the government’s highest priority.
The government assured that steps have been taken to ensure stable availability of petroleum products and LPG across the country. Necessary arrangements are in place to maintain regular supply and distribution.
All refineries are operating at high capacity and maintaining adequate crude oil inventories. India remains self-sufficient in the production of petrol and diesel and no imports of petrol and diesel are required to meet domestic demand.
On natural gas supply, it said that priority sectors continue to receive protected gas supplies, including 100 per cent supply to PNG and CNG, while supplies to industrial and commercial consumers are being regulated at about 80 per cent.
“LPG supply continues to be monitored in view of the prevailing geo-political situation. No reported dry-outs at LPG distributorships,” the government added.
Published on March 15, 2026
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