Ltd (MRPL) has increased the production of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) by more than 10 lakh kg a day after the start of the US-Israel war with Iran and the subsequent closure of the Strait of Hormuz for cargo movement.
Speaking at the Maritime Seminar on the theme ‘Maritime adversities and the role of stakeholders’, organised by New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) in Mangaluru on Wednesday, Nandakumar V Pillai, Director (Refinery) of MRPL, said MRPL is producing around 45 lakh kg of LPG every day now.
Stating that refinery has increased its LPG production by almost 30 per cent in March, he said it was producing around 33 lakh kg of LPG prior to the start of the war in the West Asia region.
The refinery is running about 120 per cent of its capacity, and the company is trying to source crude oil from different available sources.
MRPL’s cargo to the total traffic handled at New Mangalore Port was around 23.4 million tonnes in the just concluded financial year 2025-26, he said, adding, MRPL received 346 vessels at the port during the year.
Touching upon the theme of the seminar, he said all the economies across the world are facing the brunt of the war more than the actual conflict zone. “This is one of the adversaries we are facing,” he said.
On the crude oil prices, he said the price of crude oil has doubled after the start of war in West Asia. Economies around the world are facing economic risks due to the war than the physical risks.
S Shanthi, Deputy Chairperson of NMPA, said the port handled a cargo of 50.04 million tonnes during 2025-26, which is a major milestone in the history of the port. She thanked the MRPL for its contribution to achieve this milestone.
On other projects, she said the Central government has given approval for the redevelopment of berth no. 9 for handling liquid bulk cargo. The draft of the berth will be enhanced from the existing 10.5 metres to 14 metres. This berth will help handle more cargo.
She said that the tenders will be invited for the development of berth no. 17 at New Mangalore Port.
HV Darshan, Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner, inaugurated the seminar.