Minister Sonowal flags off India-flagged gas carrier Shivalik at Visakhapatnam port

In a major milestone for India’s maritime and energy transport sector, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal flags off the gas carrier Shivalik at Visakhapatnam Port today, marking its first call under the Indian flag.

The Shivalik, recently acquired by the Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), represents India’s growing capability in handling liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) logistics and deep-sea cargo movement. The vessel, inducted into the national fleet last month, underscores the government’s thrust on Atmanirbhar Bharat and the expansion of the Indian merchant fleet.

During his visit, Minister Sonowal also inaugurated several key infrastructure projects of the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) aimed at enhancing cargo handling capacity, operational efficiency, and sustainability. These projects align with the goals of Maritime India Vision 2030, which focuses on developing modern, green, and digitally enabled port ecosystems.

The induction of Shivalik—a Very Large Gas Carrier (VLGC)—is expected to strengthen India’s energy logistics and reduce dependence on foreign-flagged vessels for LPG transportation. It also reinforces Visakhapatnam’s growing role as a key energy and trade gateway on India’s eastern coast.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sonowal highlighted the vessel’s arrival as “a proud moment for Indian shipping and a step forward toward becoming a global maritime leader.”