China-bound Russian oil tanker arrives in India, first of seven vessels
Notably Strait of Hormuz is pivotal for India as nearly 40-50 per cent of crude oil imports navigate through it.
PTC News Desk: Russian oil laden tanker Aqua Tital that was bound for China arrived at the New Mangaluru Port on Saturday evening. Originally destined for China, the tanker arrived in India containing Russian crude, which is first among seven other vessels to reach India.
The tanker was originally bound for China, which was loaded at a Baltic Sea Port in late January. However it took a u-turn in mid-March and headed towards India, days after US granted a temporary waiver to India to buy sanctioned Russian oil stranded at sea.
This development came amid New Delhi's push to secure its energy supplies amid the closure of the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war.
Notably Strait of Hormuz is pivotal for India as nearly 40-50 per cent of crude oil imports navigate through it. Approximately half of country's LNG imports and most of its LPG shipments transit the key chokepoint.
Another tanker, the Suezmax Zouzou N, is expected to reach Gujarat's Sikka port on March 25. It reversed its course in early March, Bloomberg reported.
The arrival of seven tankers carrying Russian crude is expected to arrive in India which is most likely to mitigate the unprecedented oil crisis due to escalating Middle East tensions.