After safely passing through the Strait of Hormuz, LNG tanker ‘Disha’ has reached Dahej Port in Gujarat. This Malta-flagged tanker is carrying 62,370 metric tonnes of LNG. This is the first Indian LNG tanker to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, almost three and a half months after tensions with Iran began.
Gujarat’s Bharuch Port Authority said, “LNGC Disha arrived at Dahej Port this morning. It is currently berthed at the Petronet LNG jetty.” ‘Disha’, operated by a group led by Shipping Corporation of India and chartered by Petronet LNG Ltd, is one of the first commercial vessels to pass through the strait after the initial ceasefire announcement between the US and Iran.
**What did the government say about the LNG tanker?**
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) Director Opesh Kumar Sharma said on Thursday that the ship ‘Disha’ is expected to reach Dahej port on Friday. He said, “As you are aware, the Malta-flagged LNG tanker ‘Disha’ transited the Strait of Hormuz on June 15 carrying approximately 62,370 metric tonnes of LNG cargo. The tanker is expected to reach Dahej Port tomorrow morning.”
**India imports LNG from Qatar**
India meets almost half of its natural gas needs through LNG imports; About 65 percent of this supply comes from Gulf countries like Qatar and is brought via sea route through the Strait of Hormuz. After the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation. Earlier this week, following the deal between the US and Iran, Tehran allowed ships to pass through the strait without fees for a period of 60 days.
