A vessel carrying Iranian crude oil has changed course mid-voyage to China from its previously signalled destination of India, where it would have been the first such shipment in nearly seven years. Vadinar is home to a 20-million-tonnes-a-year oil refinery of Russian oil giant Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy. “However, the episode underscores how commercial terms are becoming as critical as logistics in determining Iranian crude flows to other countries apart from China,” Ritolia added. Historically, India was a major buyer of Iranian crude, importing significant volumes of Iranian light and heavy grades due to strong refinery compatibility and favourable commercial terms. At peak, Iranian crude accounted for 11.5 per cent of India’s total imports according to Kpler.

Source: The Telegraph April 04, 2026 03:11 UTC