**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes an inter-ministerial briefing on recent developments in West Asia and their impact on India's fuel supply and the welfare of Indian nationals. Key actions include ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies, with 50 lakh LPG cylinders being delivered daily and domestic LPG production increased by 28%. The government has issued directives on LPG and natural gas supply and is implementing measures for maritime safety. Citizens are urged to avoid panic booking and misinformation.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Energy Supply and Fuel Availability**
* **Crude and Refineries:**
* Despite the Strait of Hormuz being closed to commercial shipping, 70% of India's crude is sourced from alternative routes.
* India, the 4th largest refiner globally, has 22 refineries operating at high capacity (some exceeding 100%), ensuring comfortable petroleum product availability.
* A network of approximately 1 lakh retail outlets is functional with adequate stocks.
* **Natural Gas:**
* Disruptions to natural gas supply due to force majeure conditions are being offset by alternative procurement.
* A Natural Gas Control Order was issued on March 9, 2026, under the Essential Commodities Act to prioritize supply.
* **LPG Supply:**
* India imports about 60% of its LPG, with 90% typically transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
* An LPG Control Order on March 9, 2026, directed refineries to maximize LPG yields, increasing production by 28% in the last five days.
* Over 50 lakh LPG cylinders are delivered daily, with a significant increase in bookings due to panic.
* Priority for non-domestic LPG is given to essential sectors like hospitals and educational institutions.
* A three-member committee will review allocations for restaurants, hotels, and commercial users, ensuring fair distribution through coordination with State Governments. 20% of average monthly commercial LPG requirement will be allocated from today.
* Discussions are underway with state authorities for the delivery of commercial cylinders.
* Alternate fuel options, including Kerosene, PDS channels, and fuel oil, are being activated. The MoEFCC has advised State Pollution Control Boards to permit the use of biomass, RDF pellets, and Kerosene/coal for the hospitality and restaurant segment for one month.
* Higher quantities of coal have been allocated to state nominated agencies, with an additional over 48,000 KLs allocated to states/UTs for cooking fuel use.
**Maritime Safety and Shipping Operations**
* There are 28 Indian-flagged vessels in the Persian Gulf region, with 24 west of the Strait of Hormuz and 4 east.
* Indian vessels and crew are being actively monitored for safety and security.
* Coordination is ongoing between Indian embassies, local authorities, ship managers, and recruitment agencies for safety and medical assistance.
* Advisories on precautionary measures remain in force.
* Port operations across India are stable, with a Standard Operating Procedure issued for Major Ports and State Maritime Boards to facilitate shipping lines and exporters. A nodal officer has been appointed at all Major Ports.
* Major ports are directed to provide priority berthing for LPG vessels.
* Facilitation measures include permitting storage of affected Middle East-bound cargo, allotting additional storage space, and expediting "Back to Town" movement.
* Ports are advised to coordinate with agencies, consider relief in port charges, and submit daily action-taken reports.
* Coordinated measures are in place for infrastructure, financial facilitation, energy security monitoring, and vessel safety operations.
* Dedicated 24-hour control rooms are operational.
* There have been maritime incidents involving Indian crew on foreign flag vessels, with casualties and missing seafarers reported.
* Monitoring of the maritime situation in the Persian Gulf region continues, with strengthened preparedness measures.
* Regular interaction with industry stakeholders is maintained.
**Safety of Indian Nationals in the Region**
* Missions are in regular touch with Indian communities, providing information on commercial flights and visas.
* Embassies are assisting with returns via Armenia and Azerbaijan and facilitating visas and land-border crossings.
* Three Indian nationals have been lost in the ongoing conflict, and one is missing. These individuals were part of merchant ship crews.
* Embassies are working with local authorities to repatriate mortal remains. India condemns attacks on merchant ships.
* On one incident involving a Marshal Island flagged vessel, 16 Indian nationals were among the crew; one died, and 15 were rescued.
* Over two dozen Indians have been injured in the conflict; some have recuperated and returned home, while others remain hospitalized.
**Appeal to Citizens through Media**
* Citizens are urged to avoid panic booking of LPG cylinders, with assurances of uninterrupted supply.
* District-level monitoring committees and State Governments are tasked with monitoring LPG cylinder distribution.
* Social media users are requested not to spread misinformation or rumors.
* TV channels are asked to avoid repetitive visuals and to timestamp footage to ensure accurate information.
* States and Union Territories have been advised to take strict measures against hoarding and ensure the uninterrupted availability of essential supplies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Indian Refineries**
* **Impact:** Operating at high-capacity utilization, some exceeding 100%, to meet demand amidst global supply challenges.
* **Action Required:** Continue maximum production and supply of petroleum products.
**Retail Outlets**
* **Impact:** Need to maintain adequate stocks to meet consumer demand and manage potential panic buying.
* **Action Required:** Ensure functionality and adequate stocking of retail outlets.
**LPG Distributors**
* **Impact:** Experiencing increased booking due to panic, need to manage stock and distribution fairly.
* **Action Required:** Report stock situations closely, avoid dry outs, and cooperate with authorities to manage demand.
**Commercial LPG Users (Restaurants, Hotels, etc.)**
* **Impact:** Subject to a new allocation plan where 20% of average monthly requirement will be allocated to prevent hoarding.
* **Action Required:** Cooperate with OMCs and State Governments for fair and transparent distribution.
**Citizens**
* **Impact:** Urged to avoid panic booking of LPG cylinders and to be wary of misinformation and rumors. Potential activation of alternate fuel options.
* **Action Required:** Avoid panic booking, conserve fuel, and rely on credible sources for information.
**Indian Seafarers and Maritime Personnel**
* **Impact:** Monitored for safety and security in the Persian Gulf region. Some have been involved in maritime incidents with casualties.
* **Action Required:** Continue to adhere to advisories and cooperate with authorities for safety and assistance.
**Indian Nationals in GCC and Iran**
* **Impact:** Supported by embassies with information on commercial flights and visas. Some have been affected by the conflict, including casualties and missing persons.
* **Action Required:** Seek assistance from respective missions and authorities for welfare and repatriation.
**Media (TV Channels and Social Media Users)**
* **Impact:** Requested to avoid spreading misinformation and to present information accurately.
* **Action Required:** Post only credible and verified content, timestamp visuals, and avoid repetitive or sensationalized reporting.
**States and Union Territories**
* **Impact:** Role in monitoring LPG distribution and taking measures against hoarding of essential commodities.
* **Action Required:** Implement District-level monitoring committees and take strict measures to ensure uninterrupted availability of essential supplies.
**Major Ports and State Maritime Boards**
* **Impact:** Issued a Standard Operating Procedure to proactively facilitate shipping lines and exporters, including priority berthing for LPG vessels.
* **Action Required:** Implement the SOP, appoint a nodal officer, and coordinate with agencies for seamless logistics support.
**Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring uninterrupted energy supplies, including coordinating LPG production and distribution.
* **Action Required:** Continue to implement steps to ensure energy supply, direct refineries on LPG yields, and coordinate with OMCs and state governments.
**Ministry of External Affairs**
* **Impact:** Providing updates and assistance to Indian nationals in GCC and Iran, including facilitating repatriation.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor the situation and provide welfare and consular support to Indian nationals.
**Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways**
* **Impact:** Monitoring maritime situation, ensuring safety of Indian seafarers and vessels, and coordinating with stakeholders.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor the maritime situation, strengthen preparedness measures, and provide assistance to seafarers and industry stakeholders.
**Ministry of Information and Broadcasting**
* **Impact:** Appealing to citizens through media to avoid panic booking and misinformation.
* **Action Required:** Continue to disseminate accurate information and appeal to the public through various media channels.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas: The ministry responsible for ensuring energy supply and fuel availability.
LPG Control Order: An order directing refineries to maximize LPG yields and channel specific hydrocarbon streams for domestic cooking gas.
Ministry of External Affairs: The ministry providing updates on the safety and welfare of Indians in the region.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The ministry providing updates on maritime safety and shipping operations in the Persian Gulf region.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting: The ministry appealing to citizens through media to avoid panic booking and misinformation.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Inter-Ministerial Briefing on recent Developments
in West Asia
Indian Refineries operating at high-capacity utilisation
Retail outlets functional with adequate stocks
50 lakh Cylinders being delivered every day
Domestic LPG production increases by 28%
Port operations across India remain stable
Government takes coordinated measures across
infrastructure, financial facilitation, energy security
monitoring, and vessel safety operations
Missions in regular touch with Indian community members
helping them with information for commercial flight options
and visas
Citizens urged to avoid panic booking of LPG Cylinders
Appeal to citizens to beware of misinformation and rumors
Posted On: 12 MAR 2026 7:53PM by PIB Delhi
Senior officers from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of
Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting briefed the media about the
latest updates regarding steps taken by the Government of India in response to the ongoing situation in
West Asia at National media. The inter- ministerial briefing included updates about the fuel supply
situation; preparedness of the Government of India to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies, maritime
safety, welfare of Indian Nationals abroad. Ministry of I&B officials appealed to the citizens to not indulge
in panic booking and not believe fake narratives and rumours.
Energy Supply and Fuel Availability:
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas assured that all steps are being taken by the Government of
India to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies and that 50 lakh cylinders are delivered every day.Crude and Refineries-
It is 13th day of war and first time in recorded history, the Strait of Hormuz has been effectively
closed to commercial shipping. Crude is sourced from more than 40 countries and 70% of our crude
is now coming from routes other than Strait Hormuz. It was also informed that our daily
consumption is 5.5 million barrels and that India is the 4th largest refiner in the world with 22
refineries in the country. Further, Refineries are operating at high-capacity utilisation; in several
cases, they are exceeding 100 per cent.
India’s large refining capacity is allowing us a much more comfortable position in terms of
Petroleum product availability and sustain the crisis.
We have a vast network of Retail Outlets. There are around 1 lakh retail outlets. All the retail outlets
are functional with adequate stocks.
Natural Gas-
For the supply of Natural Gas that has been affected due to force majeure conditions the
procurement through alternative routes and suppliers is underway to offset this disruption. To
manage this situation effectively, the Government has issued a Natural Gas Control Order on 9
March 2026 under the Essential Commodities Act to prioritise the supply.
LPG supply-
This is war situation where India imports about 60 % of our LPG consumption and about 90 % of it
comes through the Strait of Hormuz which is closed. The global situation is challenging. Govt has
taken many steps to maintain demand supply balance.
Enhanced production of LPG by the refineries-The LPG Control Order issued on 9th March
2026 directed all refineries to maximise LPG yields and channel the entire output of C3 and C4
hydrocarbon streams, comprising propane, butane, propylene, and butene, exclusively to the three
Oil Marketing Companies for domestic cooking gas. Hence, in the last 5 days, LPG production
has been increased by 28 per cent through refinery directives. Further procurement is actively
underway.
We have more than 25000 distributors all over the country Stock situation is closely reported. No
dry out has been reported. More than 50 lakh cylinders are delivered every day. There is many
fold increase in booking due to panic. We urge citizens to avoid panic booking, cooperate with
authorities, and conserve fuel where possible during this period of global uncertainty.
For non-domestic LPG, priority is being given to essential sectors such as hospitals and educational
institutions. A three-member committee of Executive Directors from IOCL, HPCL and BPCL has
been constituted to review allocations to restaurants, hotels and other commercial users. The
committee is consulting with state authorities and industry bodies to finalise a plan to ensure that
available LPG is distributed in a fair and transparent manner. In a major decision, 20% of the
average monthly Commercial LPG requirement will be allocated from today by OMCs, in
coordination with the State Governments so that there is no hoarding or black marketing.
OMCs are approaching all state/UTs for delivery of commercial cylinders. Discussions with
Chief Secretary Delhi have happened today for delivery of commercial cylinders.
Alternate fuel options are being activated to ease pressure on LPG and gas channels. Kerosene
is being made available through retail outlets and PDS channels, and fuel oil is being made available
for industrial and commercial consumers. The MoEFCC has advised State Pollution Control
Boards to permit, for the duration of this crisis period, the use of biomass, RDF pellets, and
Kerosene/coal as alternate fuels for the hospitality and restaurant segment for 1 month, which
would enable a wider range of establishments to switch and free up LPG for priority
consumers.Yesterday ministry of coal has issued orders to allot higher quantities of coal to state nominated
agencies and allocated these to small, medium and other consumers.
An additional quantity of over 48000 KLs has been allocated to all states/UTs , over and above,
more than 1 lakh KLs for one quarter, already allocated for use as cooking fuel.
Maritime Safety and Shipping Operations
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways shared the latest updates with the media about the maritime
situation in the Persian Gulf region and the steps being taken by the Ministry to safeguard safety and
welfare of Indian seafarers and protecting India’s maritime interests. It was informed that-
The number of Indian-flagged vessels operating in the Persian Gulf region, remains unchanged at
28, of which 24 vessels are located west of the Strait of Hormuz, carrying 677 Indian seafarers, and
4 vessels are on the east of the Strait with 101 Indian seafarers onboard. All Indian vessels and crew
are being actively monitored for their safety and security.
Authorities, ship managers, and Recruitment agencies are closely coordinating with Indian
embassies and local authorities to ensure safety, and render medical assistance.
Advisories issued on precautionary measures to safeguard Indian seafarers, Indian-flagged vessels
and maritime trade operations issued by DG Shipping on 28 February 2026, remain in force.
Overall port operations across India remain stable. A Standard Operating Procedure has been
issued for all Major Ports/ State Maritime Boards to proactively facilitate shipping lines and
exporters through stakeholder coordination and time-bound grievance redressal. A nodal
officer as a Single Point of Contact has been appointed by all Major Ports.
Major ports have been directed to provide priority berthing for LPG vessels.
Ports have implemented facilitation measures such as permitting storage of affected Middle East-
bound cargo as transshipment cargo, allotting additional storage space, enabling ad-hoc vessel
berthing, prioritising handling of perishable and returning export cargo, expediting “Back to Town”
movement in coordination with Customs, and enhancing bunkering support wherever feasible.
Major ports have been advised to coordinate with agencies like Customs and DGFT, consider relief
in port charges, and submit daily action-taken reports to the Ministry to ensure seamless logistics
support during the crisis period.
Government has taken coordinated measures across infrastructure, financial facilitation, energy
security monitoring, and vessel safety operations.
Dedicated 24-hour control room is operational both in the Ministry (28 February 2026) and the
Directorate General of Shipping. The Directorate is also maintaining constant contact with ship
owners, operators, and the families of seafarers to provide timely updates and necessary assistance.
There have been maritime incidents involving Indian crew on Foreign flag vessels. On these
vessels, there were 78 Indian Seafarers. Of these, 70 escaped unhurt and 04 sustained injuries but
are stable. Unfortunately, there have been 03 casualties and 01 seafarer is missing.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways continues to closely monitor the prevailing maritime
situation in the Persian Gulf region and has strengthened monitoring and preparedness measures in
view of the evolving maritime situation in that region.
Regular interaction with industry and stakeholders is being maintained to provide all assistance.
Government remains fully committed to ensuring the safety and welfare of Indian seafarers
and protecting India’s maritime interests.
Safety of Indian Nationals in the Region
The Ministry of External Affairs provided an update on the safety and welfare of Indians in GCC and Iran.
It was shared that-Our Missions in regular touch with Indian community members and helping them with information
for commercial flight options. In some cases, they are also helping with visas.
Embassy is helping Indian nationals who wish to return via Armenia and Azerbaijan on commercial
flights. Embassy facilitating with visas and land-border crossings.
We have lost three Indian nationals in the ongoing conflict. We also have an Indian national who is
reported missing.
All the four Indian nationals were part of crew on board merchant ships plying in the area.
Our Embassies in Oman and Iraq and our Consulate in Dubai are working with local authorities to
have their mortal remains transported back to India at the earliest.
It was further added that this is also the reason why India strongly condemns the attacks on
Merchant ships from any quarters.
The latest casualty happened on board Safesea Vishnu, a Marshal Island flagged vessel. This
happened close to Iraq.
Altogether there were 28 crew members on the ship, including 16 Indian nationals. One of them has
unfortunately died. We convey our condolences. All other 15 nationals have been rescued and are
presently in Basra. Our Embassy is in touch with them and offering all possible assistance.
Over two dozen Indians have been injured in the conflict so far. Several of them have recuperated
and returned home after their treatment. Few of them remain in hospital.
Appeal to Citizens through Media:
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting:
Appealed to all citizens through media that there should not be any panic booking of cylinders and
all steps are being taken to ensure that uninterrupted supply is maintained.
Highlighted the role District level monitoring Committees and the State Governments to do the
needful and monitor the distribution of LPG cylinders at the ground level.
Appealed to social media users to not spread misinformation and rumours and post only credible
and verified content.
Appealed to tv channels to avoid playing the same visuals again and again since it is an evolving
situation, channels were requested to play the visuals with date and time stamped so that the citizens
are correctly informed about when the issue from the ground happened.
States and Union Territories were advised to take strict measures against hoarding of essential
commodities and ensure uninterrupted availability of essential supplies.
****
MN
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