Jamshedpur man among crew of LPG vessel back from West Asia

JAMSHEDPUR, Mar 17: A family in Jharkhand’s Jamshedpur breathed a sigh of relief after an Indian-flagged LPG vessel, on which their son was serving as a crew member, safely reached Gujarat’s Mundra port following a tense journey through the Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflict in West Asia.

Mithilesh Tripathy, a resident of Jamshedpur, said his only son, Ansh Tripathy, was working as the second engineer on the vessel Shivalik. His role involved monitoring and maintaining the ship’s technical operations, particularly crucial during its passage through the strategically sensitive maritime corridor.

The Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route, has remained under heightened tension due to regional instability, raising concerns among families of seafarers navigating the area.

Tripathy said he had last spoken to his son four to five days ago through a WhatsApp call when the vessel was departing from Qatar. “The network was weak, but he assured us that everything was fine,” he said.

However, the days that followed were filled with anxiety as the family closely tracked news developments from West Asia, fearing for the safety of those aboard ships passing through the region.

“We were constantly worried. Every news update made us more anxious,” Tripathy added.

Relief came when the family received confirmation that the vessel had safely docked at Mundra port in Gujarat. Shortly after, they were able to speak with Ansh, who informed them that the journey had been completed without incident.

Family members expressed gratitude and joy upon hearing the news, describing the moment as one of immense relief after days of uncertainty.

Officials have not reported any untoward incidents involving the vessel during its voyage. The safe arrival of Shivalik highlights the resilience and professionalism of Indian seafarers operating in challenging and sensitive international waters.

The Tripathy family said they are now looking forward to Ansh’s return home.