Major Port Visakhapatnam port Authority, (VPA) recently welcomed VLGC Shivalik, an Indian flag vessel carrying LPG thereby marking a symbolic acceleration of India’s participation in the global gas trade.
INS Shivalik the Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC) which had recently been inducted into the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) made her maiden voyage to Visakhapatnam Port.
Shivalik, with a capacity of 82,000 CBM, was inducted into SCI’s fleet on September 10, 2025 and highlights India’s growing capability in energy transportation, maritime safety, and global competitiveness, further positioning the nation as a key player in the international maritime sector.
This newly acquired vessel bearing IMO number 9356892, built in South Korea, is renamed as after the Shivalik mountain range of the Himalayas, she is the second VLGC added this year after Sahyadri, raising SCI’s VLGC fleet strength to three.
On this historic occasion, the vessel was received in the august presence of the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mr Sarbanda Sonowal.
Addressing the media VPA’s chairperson, Dr M Angamuthu, IAS said “This is a momentous occasion not only for Vizag and AP but the entire country”. Identifying Vizag port as gateway port for energy and POL products he stated that 1/3rd of VPA’s cargo can be handled for POL.
He added that VPA has the capacity to handle 25-30 MT POL related products. “We want Vizag to become the energy capital on the east coast of India”.
Visakhapatnam’s Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha, Mr M Sribharat too lauded this significant development and said that this shipment will further aggrandize the LPG infrastructure of the state so that millions of people can get much needed LPG to their homes.
Giving the welcome address, Capt. Tyagi shared that Shivalik embarked on her maiden trade voyage by loading more than 46,000 metric tonnes of LPG — comprising Propane and Butane — at Ruwais, UAE and will be proceeding with its first unloading at Visakhapatnam Port for the charterer – Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL).
