New Delhi, March 17 -- The state-run Kandla port on the west coast is planning for a possible surge in inbound maritime traffic- up to 22 vessels in the next few days - and has been shoring up its facilities to handle these ships. This signals India is hoping for more arrivals of crude and natural gas amid a near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz.

The Deendayal port at Kandla, one of the 12 busiest sea-trading hubs in the country, has been asked to take measures for quicker turnround times, smooth berthing and cargo flows as well as onward transportation, a shipping directorate official said.

More arrivals of crude and gas tankers will ease some of the mounting concerns over shortages in the world's second biggest importer of oil. The co...