The Union government on Saturday rejected reports and social media claims that an Iranian crude oil cargo was diverted from Vadinar in India to China due to payment issues, saying that they are “factually incorrect”.
The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas in a post on X said, “The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar, India, to China due to ‘payment issues’ are factually incorrect. India imports crude oil from 40+ countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources & geographies based on commercial considerations.”
“Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran; and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports, contrary to the rumours being circulated,” the post read.
“Claims on vessel diversion ignore how the oil trade works. Bills of Lading often carry indicative discharge ports, destinations and on-sea cargoes can change destinations mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility,” the post stated.
Addressing rumours about LPG supply, the ministry clarified that the LPG vessel Sea Bird, carrying around 44 TMT of Iranian LPG, berthed at Mangalore on Thursday and is currently discharging.
“It is reiterated that India’s crude oil requirements remain fully secured for the coming months. On LPG too, some claims being made are incorrect as LPG vessel Sea Bird carrying around 44 TMT Iranian LPG berthed at Mangalore, India, on April 2 and is currently discharging,” the post on X read.
This comes after media reports, citing a commodity market analysis firm, claimed that a crude oil vessel heading to India diverted to China due to payment issues.
Meanwhile, India-flagged large gas carrier Green Sanvi safely transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday night, carrying approximately 46,650 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cargo, official sources said.
The Centre has been in talks with Iranian authorities to allow Indian vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz amid a maritime blockade due to the ongoing West Asia conflict.
Earlier on March 28, a shipment of 47,000 metric tonnes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) arrived at the Vadinar Terminal of DPA Kandla in Jamnagar, Gujarat.
The vessel, MT Jag Vasant, is set to transfer its cargo to another ship at anchorage through a Ship-to-Ship (STS) operation.
Indian Navy warships were on standby to provide support to the merchant vessels, sources told a news agency.
Earlier, the Shipping Ministry had said that there were 18 vessels and around 485 seafarers in the Persian Gulf.