Two tankers carrying Russian Urals crude oil, initially headed to East Asia, have changed course and are now bound for India, Bloomberg reports.
Source: Gazeta.UA
One of them — the Suezmax-class tanker Odune with a cargo of about 730,000 barrels — has already arrived at the Paradip port on India’s east coast. The second vessel, the Aframax-class tanker Matari carrying over 700,000 barrels of oil, is expected at the Vadinar port on the west coast of the country.
According to the agency, other route changes are also possible. In particular, the Suezmax-class tanker Indri, which is in the Arabian Sea and was initially headed to Singapore, sharply changed course northward toward India this week. The vessel carries approximately 730,000 barrels of Urals crude.
All three tankers were sanctioned last year by Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.
In recent weeks, Indian refiners reduced purchases of Russian oil due to concerns about complicating trade negotiations with the United States. This forced Russia to offer its oil to China at significant discounts.
However, the escalation in the Middle East, the war in Iran, and the de facto blockade of the Strait of Hormuz have increased the risk of oil shortages. Under these conditions, Indian refiners have likely begun increasing purchases of Russian crude again.
The rise in Russian oil imports by India helps Moscow maintain oil revenues despite sanctions, which in turn affects financing for the war against Ukraine.
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