What happened?
On August 15, 2025, the government-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) inducted the LPG carrier “Sahyadri” into its fleet. The South Korea-built vessel measures 225 metres in length and 36 metres in width, with a capacity to transport up to 82,000 cubic metres of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). This addition raises SCI’s deadweight tonnage to 5.2 million tonnes and increases its owned fleet to 57 vessels. Another Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC), soon to be renamed “Shivalik,” is expected to join the fleet later this financial year.
Why it matters to India
Named after the mountain range along India’s western coast, Sahyadri will transport LPG between the Persian Gulf and India, securing vital energy supplies. Officials said the acquisition reflects the government’s drive for a self-reliant and globally competitive shipping sector, reducing dependence on foreign tonnage for strategic cargo. Port and Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that expanding the Indian-flagged fleet strengthens maritime self-reliance and supports the nation’s goal of becoming Viksit Bharat. SCI stated that with Sahyadri joining, India moves closer to its 2047 vision of becoming a proud maritime nation commanding a larger share of global trade.