Read Authentic Ratings for the Desh-Bhakt

On May 17, 2021, the barge 'Support Station-3', operated by Afcons, lost control when its anchors failed, causing it to drift in the turbulent waters northwest of Mumbai during cyclone Tauktae. Despite being clear of all operational installations in Mumbai High, concerns escalated in the evening as the 'Greatship Aditi' and 'Desh Bhakt' also experienced propulsion failures, threatening to veer towards the 'Vivekanand-2' oil rig located in the Panna oil field. The Mumbai Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) swiftly intervened, and after coordinated efforts, the propulsion systems were restored, ensuring the safety of all 45 crew members aboard both vessels.

In a significant maritime development, two tankers, the Desh Bhakt and Jag Laxmi, are currently making their way to the western shores of India after the country cleared a portion of its debts amounting to $1.4 million. This financial arrangement was facilitated by a Turkish lender, enabling smooth transactions concerning India’s crude oil imports from Iran. Both vessels, which have been transporting crude oil since late last week from Kharg Island, Iran's key export terminal, are bound for Mangalore. The anticipated arrival dates are set for August 11 for the Desh Bhakt and August 12 for the Jag Laxmi. The payments were successfully processed through Turkey’s state-operated Halk Bankası, marking a pivotal step in maintaining India's energy supply chain.