NEW DELHI: As on Tuesday, 50 Indian-flagged and foreign-flagged ships, with cargo bound for India, have transited the Strait of Hormuz since the start of the West Asia conflict on Feb 28.At present, only nine Indian vessels are in the Persian Gulf region – in the West of Strait of Hormuz – with 198 Indian seafarers onboard.“The vessels are not struck, and are currently trading or engaged in the region,” a shipping ministry official said. There are no updates on whether ships from India are waiting to go to West Asia through the Strait to pick up fresh consignments. Industry insiders said that it may take a little longer for shipping lines to plan resume sending their vessels to the area.Officials said that while 18-flagged ships have sailed through the strait safely, the remaining 32 are foreign-flagged.Among the ships that have transited so far, a maximum 19 are bulk carriers, 14 carried LPG and 12 more were crude oil tankers. The remaining include, two LNG carriers and one container vessel.Kamrajar second majorport to offer 18m draftKamarajar port in Tamil Nadu with an operational draft of 18 metres has become the second central govt-owned or major port after Visakhapatnam port to achieve this feat. Shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal said this is another milestone in the journey of creating modern, future-ready maritime infrastructure that will power India’s economic growth and global trade.
