Two Indian-flagged tankers, carrying liquified petroleum gas (LPG), are set to cross the contentious Strait of Hormuz on Monday after days of being anchored in the Persian Gulf due to the raging war between Iran, the United States and Israel in the region.
According to ship tracking data, the two Indian LPG tankers, Jag Vasant and Pine Gas, were inching closer to the Iranian waters between Larak and Qeshm islands as of Monday noon.
As part of precautionary measures to avoid any confusion regarding the flag and identity, both tankers were sailing close to each other and were broadcasting their Indian origin for the Iranian authorities.
The Iranian navy and other forces are keeping a close eye on the Strait of Hormuz. The development comes as New Delhi has been engaging with Tehran to ensure safe passage for its vessels through the narrow shipway.
India managed to get safe transit for two of its stuck LPG tankers, Shivalik and Nanda Devi, a few days back.
While speaking to the Financial Times last week, the Minister of External Affairs (MEA) said that there was no "blanket arrangement" with Iran for India-flagged ships and that "every ship movement is an individual happening".
He added that he remained engaged in talks with the Iranian leadership.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi had also said that Iran was "open" to countries that want to discuss "safe passage of their vessels".
According to reports, the combined deadweight capacity of both the tankers is close to 1,13,000 tonnes (Jag Vasant 54,400 and Pine Gas 58,500 tonnes).
Deadweight is the total weight a vessel can carry, including fuel, fresh water, ballast water, provisions, and crew, in addition to cargo weight.
Jag Vasant and Pine Gas are estimated to be carrying LPG worth over a day of India's pre-West Asia war consumption. At present, LPG consumption has tapered down amid a supply crunch due to the war.