Strait disruptions shift India's LPG dependence to US

An LPG tanker carrying tonnes of cooking gas has arrived in India from the US.

- SHIKHA SALARIA

The vessel Cristobal, which loaded LPG from the US Port of Freeport, has brought supplies for Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL).

The vessel first arrived at Visakhapatnam port on April 4, where it discharged LPG meant for IOCL, and is currently heading to Paradip port, where it is set to deliver the remaining supplies to HPCL.

"Cristobal, which loaded LPG at the Port of Freeport in Texas, is expected to arrive at Paradip port on Tuesday, where it will discharge the LPG meant for HPCL," a highly placed source told TDG.

India has received multiple LPG cargoes from the US, which emerged as the largest supplier of the cooking gas to India in March 2026, dethroning the Gulf nations.

This marks the first time that US LPG imports to India have exceeded volumes from the Gulf, as the Strait of Hormuz continues to witness staggered movement of fuel tankers, according toS&P Global Commodities data.