LPG ships from Gulf idle after unloading; foreign ships bringing U.S. cargoes

Many of the nine Indian-flagged LPG carriers evacuated from the Persian Gulf are drifting empty after unloading, even as India contracts with foreign vessels loading LPG at ports in Texas, U.S.

Nine Indian-flagged LPG carriers—Shivalik, Nanda Devi, BW Elm, BW Tyr, Pine Gas, Jag Vasant, Jag Vikram, Green Sanvi and Green Asha—have been moved out of the Gulf. Barring BW Elm, which is currently anchored off Trincomalee in Sri Lanka, the rest are stationed off India’s west coast near Mumbai, Kandla and nearby areas, according to marinetraffic.com. Another “light” LPG carrier, Sahyadri, has been anchored off the west coast for over 40 days. These vessels have likely completed cargo operations and are ready to load again but are awaiting instructions—possibly with an eye on a quick resolution that would allow a return to Persian Gulf routes.

Meanwhile, India has been diversifying its LPG sourcing. According to an S&P Global report, as of April 15, U.S. LPG flows to India this year had already surpassed last year’s volumes.