The oil tanker Aqua Titan, carrying Russian crude, reached the New Mangaluru Port on Saturday evening, marking the arrival of the first among several vessels that were originally headed elsewhere but have now been redirected to India.
Initially scheduled to deliver its cargo to the Chinese port of Rizhao, the medium-sized tanker had been loaded at a Baltic Sea port in late January. However, in mid-March, it changed course and headed toward India. This shift came shortly after India received a temporary 30-day waiver from the United States, allowing it to procure Russian oil that had been stranded at sea despite sanctions.
According to reports, at least seven tankers carrying Russian crude—previously bound for China—are now being rerouted to India. This move aligns with India’s efforts to secure its energy needs, especially in light of disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, including the closure of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing Iran conflict.
The Strait of Hormuz holds significant importance for India’s energy imports, as nearly 40–50 percent of its crude oil supplies pass through this route. Additionally, around half of India’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports and a majority of its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shipments also transit through this narrow but critical maritime corridor.
Another vessel, the Suezmax tanker Zouzou N, is expected to arrive at Gujarat’s Sikka port on March 25. Like Aqua Titan, it also reversed its course earlier in March, reflecting a broader pattern of rerouting.
These changes in shipping routes, tracked by maritime analytics firm Vortexa, follow increased purchases of Russian oil by Indian refiners after the waiver was granted. The arrival of these seven tankers is expected to help ease India’s short-term crude oil supply constraints.
In a related development, a significant shipment of LPG has also reached India amid concerns over cooking fuel availability. The cargo ship Pyxis Pioneer, which departed from Texas in the United States, docked at the New Mangaluru Port on Sunday. Authorities have begun standard safety inspections and unloading operations at the port.
