Indian ship movement through Suez Canal not impacted: Vasan

New Delhi, Feb 2 (PTI) The government today said it isclosely monitoring the developments in Egypt and so far thereare no reports of disruption of India''s shipping movementsthrough the Suez Canal.

"We are closely monitoring the situation in Egypt andSuez Canal. We are in constant touch with the Ministry ofExternal Affairs. So far, Indian Ship movements have not beenaffected," Shipping Minister G K Vasan told PTI.

Vasan said in case of any such problem, the governmentwould come out with a contingency plan.

"In case there is an interruption, alternative optionswill be looked at," he said, adding that oil imports to Indiahave not been impacted as well, as these are done from Gulfcountries.

With the problems in Egypt escalating, there are fearsthat the crucial Suez canal link connecting the MediterraneanSea and the Red Sea could be disrupted.

State-owned Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), too, hassaid that it carries only a small number of containers toEgyptian destinations and so far there is no disturbance inthe movement there.

SCI Chairman S Hajara yesterday said that "As far as SCIis concerned, it only carries a small number of containers toEgyptian destinations. It has not been impacted." PTI NAM