image sourced from original article at The Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Symi, carrying nearly 20,000 tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas in the form of propane and butane, has docked safely at Deendayal Port in Kandla, Gujarat. The vessel crossed the Strait of Hormuz on May 13, becoming the 11th liquefied petroleum gas carrier to pass through the strategic route under ongoing monitored operations amid the Middle East conflict. It has 21 crew members onboard, including eight Ukrainians and 13 Filipinos.
Officials said the safe passage was ensured through coordination between the Directorate General of Shipping and the ministries of external affairs, defence, and petroleum and natural gas. The shipment comes at a time when disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have strained global energy supplies for over 75 days.
India's crude oil stockpiles have fallen sharply since the conflict began, dropping from 107 million barrels at the end of February to 91 million barrels, according to data from commodities analytics firm Kpler. At current consumption levels of about 5 million barrels per day, available reserves are estimated to cover roughly 18 days of demand. Global inventories have also declined significantly, with the International Energy Agency reporting steep drawdowns in March and April.
While refiners have so far maintained steady operations, analysts warn that prolonged supply disruptions could force reductions in crude processing. The sustained pressure on energy supplies may also be behind Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal to citizens to conserve fuel.
