As India ramps up Russian oil imports, China-bound tankers change course mid-voyage

India’s sudden jump in buying Russian crude is now showing up at sea, quite literally. Several oil tankers that were earlier sailing towards China have changed direction and are now heading to Indian ports instead.

This comes as Indian refiners move quickly to lock in supplies. With uncertainty around Middle East shipments due to the Iran-linked tensions, and a temporary easing of US restrictions, companies appear to be stocking up while they can.

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One of the clearest examples is the Aframax tanker Aqua Titan. The vessel had loaded Urals crude from a Baltic port in late January and was originally meant for Rizhao in China. But somewhere in the South China Sea this month, it changed course. It is now expected to dock at New Mangalore on March 21.

India’s buying has been fast and heavy. Reports suggest refiners picked up close to 30 million barrels of Russian crude in just a week.

More ships follow the same route shift

The Aqua Titan is not an isolated case. According to data from analytics firm Vortexa, at least seven tankers carrying Russian oil have altered their routes from China to India in recent weeks.

Another vessel, the Suezmax Zouzou N., is also on its way to India. It is carrying CPC Blend crude from Kazakhstan and is expected to reach Sikka port by March 25. The ship had sailed from Novorossiysk in the Black Sea and was earlier headed towards China before changing direction earlier this month.

For now, India seems to be back in a familiar position – one of the biggest buyers of Russian crude.

Meanwhile, the easing of restrictions has opened the door for others, too. Countries like Japan and South Korea have resumed purchases. Analysts say if this demand continues across multiple markets, oil prices could start moving up again in the weeks ahead.