Russian Oil Cargoes Redirected to India as Middle East War Disrupts Supply

India is again receiving shipments of Russian crude oil as escalating conflict in the Middle East raises concerns about potential supply disruptions in global energy markets.

According to ship-tracking data from Kpler and Vortexa, two tankers carrying a combined 1.4 million barrels of Russia’s Urals crude have diverted to Indian ports after previously signaling destinations in East Asia.

The shift suggests that Indian refiners may be reconsidering Russian crude purchases as geopolitical tensions threaten supplies from the Persian Gulf.

---

Tankers Change Course Toward India

Two vessels carrying Russian oil are expected to unload in India this week:

• Odune, a Suezmax tanker carrying approximately 730,000 barrels, arrived at Paradip port on Wednesday.

• Matari, an Aframax tanker carrying more than 700,000 barrels, is scheduled to arrive at Vadinar port in western India.

Both cargoes originally signaled destinations in East Asia before changing course toward India.

Another tanker, Indri, also carrying about 730,000 barrels of Urals crude, recently altered its route in the Arabian Sea and is now heading toward India after previously indicating Singapore as its destination.

---

Middle East Conflict Reshapes Oil Trade Flows

The rerouting comes as the war in the Middle East and disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz raise fears of crude supply shortages.

India had reduced its purchases of Russian oil in recent months, partly due to pressure from the United States amid ongoing trade discussions between Washington and New Delhi.

However, with uncertainty surrounding Middle Eastern exports, Indian refiners appear to be returning to discounted Russian barrels to secure supply.

Urals crude, exported from ports in the Baltic and Black Seas, had previously become highly popular with Indian refiners after Western sanctions redirected Russian oil flows toward Asia.

---

Sanctioned Tankers Carrying the Cargo

All three tankers involved in the latest shipments — Odune, Matari, and Indri — were placed under sanctions by the United Kingdom and the European Union last year.

Ship ownership and management details include:

• Odune – managed by Global Ship Solutions LLC, based in Azerbaijan

• Matari – managed by Anchor Elite Shipmanagement, also registered in Azerbaijan

• Indri – owned by Veyronda Seaborne Ltd., Hong Kong, and managed by Stellar Ship Solutions LLC

Requests for comment from the companies involved were not immediately answered.

---

India’s Energy Strategy Under Pressure

India remains one of the world’s largest oil importers and has relied heavily on discounted Russian crude since 2022.

However, balancing energy security with geopolitical relationships has become increasingly complex.

With Middle Eastern supply risks rising, analysts say India may again expand Russian imports to ensure stable crude supply for its refineries.

Further tanker route changes could occur in the coming weeks if the conflict continues to disrupt energy flows through the Persian Gulf.