Morbi ceramic factory on the verge of closure: Propane gas supply disrupted, millions of workers in crisis in Iran-Israel war

The direct impact of the escalating war situation between Iran and Israel is now being seen on Morbi's world-class ceramic industry. The missile attack on Saudi Arabia's prestigious Aramco refinery has disrupted the supply chain of propane gas, threatening to shut down the wheels of hundreds of factories in Morbi in the next 2 to 3 days. Natural gas and propane gas are mainly used for production in Morbi's ceramic industry. According to Manoj Erwadia, president of the Morbi Ceramic Association, propane gas comes to Kandla port by vessel from Saudi Arabia and from there reaches Morbi by tankers. At present, with the closure of refineries and transportation stopped, the factories are left with only enough stock to last two-three days. According to ceramic industrialist Rajanbhai Patel, on an average, if factories are shut down for a month due to short supply of gas, an average industrialist can incur a huge financial loss of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore. Morbi's ceramic industry is currently on the threshold of a serious economic crisis. If there is no ceasefire at the international level or an alternative arrangement for gas, Gujarat's economy could be hit hard. Also read: Ceramic industry to lose Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore per month, factory likely to shut down Also read: Ceramic industry in dire straits, ceramic industry left with enough stock for a week