Mangaluru to get Russian crude on Mar 21 as 7 China-bound tankers turn to India

New Delhi, Mar 19: A Russian crude oil tanker is set to dock at New Mangalore Port on March 21, even as at least seven vessels originally bound for China have reversed course and are now headed to India amid escalating disruptions in global oil supply chains.

The rerouting of these tankers, tracked by Vortexa Ltd, follows India receiving a temporary waiver from the United States to purchase ‘sanctioned’ Russian oil currently stranded at sea. The move comes as New Delhi steps up efforts to secure energy supplies in the wake of disruptions caused by the Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Among the vessels, Aqua Titan, a medium-range crude tanker, was loaded at a Baltic Sea port in late January and was initially headed for China’s Rizhao port before making a U-turn in mid-March shortly after India secured the US waiver. Another tanker, Suezmax Zouzou N, is now en route to Sikka port in Jamnagar and is expected to arrive on March 25 after reversing course earlier this month.

The development comes as Indian refiners ramp up purchases of Russian crude following the US decision to grant a 30-day waiver, even as Iran has nearly blocked maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery through which about one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas supplies pass.

India has already secured around 30 million barrels of Russian crude within a week, after earlier reducing imports from Moscow. In January, Russian oil accounted for about 21 per cent of India’s total imports, as New Delhi explored a trade arrangement with the United States.

As India scaled back its purchases earlier, China capitalised on discounted Russian crude and increased its imports. However, with the US now easing restrictions, competition for Russian oil is intensifying once again.

The diverted shipments are expected to provide immediate relief to India, which relies on imports for nearly 90 per cent of its energy requirements. The Strait of Hormuz remains particularly vital, as roughly 40–50 per cent of India’s crude imports pass through it, along with about half of its LNG supplies and a majority of LPG shipments.

With the conflict entering its third week, India has been facing a squeeze in LPG supplies, leading to disruptions in several cities. In some cases, restaurants in Mumbai and Bengaluru have reportedly shut operations due to shortages of cooking gas.

So far, three Indian-flagged vessels carrying crude oil and LPG have successfully reached ports after navigating the Strait of Hormuz, while around 20 ships remain stranded awaiting clearance.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar said earlier this week that India does not have a ‘blanket arrangement’ with Iran for the transit of Indian-flagged ships.

The arrival of the seven tankers carrying Russian crude is expected to ease India’s short-term energy concerns amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.