Tankers divert to India as Russian oil imports surge

New Delhi — India has significantly ramped up its imports of Russian crude oil, leading several tankers originally bound for China to change course mid-journey and head towards Indian ports instead.

One such vessel, the Aframax tanker Aqua Titan, is now expected to dock at New Mangalore Port on March 21 carrying Urals crude. The ship had initially set sail for Rizhao in China after loading cargo from the Baltic Sea in late January. However, in mid-March, it made a sudden turnaround in the South China Sea and redirected towards India.

This shift follows a recent decision by the United States to allow India to temporarily increase imports of Russian oil. Taking advantage of the window, Indian refiners quickly stepped up purchases, reportedly securing around 30 million barrels of crude within a week.

The surge comes as India looks to stabilise supplies amid disruptions in Middle Eastern oil flows linked to tensions involving Iran.

The rerouting trend is not limited to a single vessel. According to data from Vortexa, at least seven tankers carrying Russian oil have recently diverted from China to India, highlighting a broader shift in trade flows.

Another vessel, the Suezmax tanker Zouzou N., is also en route to Sikka Port and is expected to arrive on March 25. It is transporting CPC Blend crude from Kazakhstan, having departed from Novorossiysk in Russia’s Black Sea region before altering its course earlier this month.

With major Indian refiners actively seeking Russian crude again, India is reasserting itself as a key buyer for Moscow. Meanwhile, countries like Japan and South Korea have also resumed purchases, a trend analysts say could drive global oil prices higher in the coming weeks.

With inputs from IANS