Shipping Relief in Sight as Indian Tankers Prepare to Transit Strait of Hormuz

Amid the tense situation in West Asia, there are signs of some relief in the Strait of Hormuz. International shipping is likely to resume after a prolonged stand-off, including Indian tankers. Three Indian ships have already returned home safely. LPG tanker'Shivalik'has reached Vadinar port in Gujarat and'Nanda Devi'has reached Mundra port. Crude oil carrier'Jag Ladki'has also returned to India. Two more ships -'Pine Gas'and'Jag Basant'- are preparing to transit the Strait of Hormuz. Marine tracking sources say these ships have signalled their departure from the UAE coast.'Jag Basant'has been hired by Bharat Petroleum Corporation and'Pine Gas'is being operated by Indian Oil Corporation. However, top officials of the Central Shipping Department said that communication of these ships is yet to be finalised. Meanwhile, a total of 22 Indian ships are being targeted in the Gulf region and efforts are being made by the Indian Navy to bring the situation under active diplomatic control.