- Indian-flagged tanker delivers 80,886 MT UAE crude amid West Asia tensions
- Mundra reinforces role as strategic energy gateway handling high-risk shipments
- Back-to-back arrivals signal resilience of India’s maritime energy supply chain
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
AHMEDABAD, MAR 18
In a significant boost to India’s energy security amid volatile geopolitical conditions, the Indian-flagged crude oil tanker ‘Jag Laadki’ has successfully docked at Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone’s Mundra terminal in Gujarat, carrying approximately 80,886 metric tonnes of crude oil sourced from the United Arab Emirates.
Loaded at Port of Fujairah, the vessel berthed safely on Wednesday following meticulous maritime coordination, underscoring Mundra’s critical role as a frontline hub in safeguarding India’s energy imports.
Measuring 274.19 metres in length with a beam of 50.04 metres, Jag Laadki has a deadweight tonnage of 1,64,716 tonnes and a gross tonnage of 84,735 tonnes, positioning it among the large-capacity carriers vital for bulk crude transportation.
“Adani Ports Mundra continues to support India’s energy infrastructure by facilitating the safe berthing and handling of vital energy imports,” a spokesperson for Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone said.
“This delivery supports refinery operations that rely on such shipments to maintain production and bolster India’s energy security during supply disruptions,” the statement added.
The cargo is expected to be discharged to feed refinery operations that are heavily dependent on steady crude supplies, particularly as regional tensions disrupt traditional shipping routes.
The development comes close on the heels of two Indian-flagged LPG carriers—‘Shivalik’ and ‘Nanda Devi’—successfully navigating the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz to deliver critical fuel supplies to Gujarat ports. The Strait, a vital artery for global energy trade, accounts for nearly one-fifth of the world’s seaborne oil shipments.
Recent hostilities in West Asia, including attacks near Fujairah, have heightened risks across shipping lanes, prompting coordinated diplomatic and logistical efforts to ensure uninterrupted energy flows to India.
Despite disruptions, officials maintain that India has adequate reserves, although supply adjustments have been necessary. The country imports nearly 88% of its crude oil, alongside substantial portions of gas and LPG, with a significant share traditionally sourced from the Middle East.
Cargo operations at Mundra will proceed under stringent safety and environmental protocols, with close coordination between port authorities and refinery stakeholders.
