A Russian oil tanker carrying around 7.7 lakh barrels of crude oil is set to arrive at India’s New Mangalore port on March 21 after changing its original route to China, a senior government official said on Thursday.

The vessel, Aqua Titan, which sails under the Cameroon flag, departed from a Russian port on January 18. It altered its course while in the South China Sea and is now heading towards India, reflecting shifting global oil trade patterns amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Middle East conflict disrupts global supply

The diversion comes against the backdrop of escalating conflict in the Middle East. The ongoing war involving Iran, along with its retaliatory strikes on Gulf nations, has significantly disrupted oil and natural gas exports from the region. These disruptions have also led to temporary production halts in key energy facilities.

Since the conflict began on February 28, at least four Indian-flagged vessels carrying oil and gas cargo have already reached Indian ports safely.

Indian vessels stranded near Strait of Hormuz

According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, a large number of Indian vessels remain stuck near the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route.

Currently, 22 Indian-flagged cargo ships, along with 611 seafarers, are stranded in the western part of the Persian Gulf. Additionally, two loaded Indian vessels are positioned in the eastern section of the Strait.

Officials confirmed that authorities, including the Directorate General of Shipping, are closely monitoring the situation in coordination with shipowners, recruitment agencies, and Indian embassies. All Indian crew members in the region are reported to be safe, with no incidents recorded in the past 24 hours.

Global shipping crisis deepens

The disruption is not limited to Indian vessels. Around 700 ships from various countries have reportedly been stranded near the Strait of Hormuz for nearly 20 days. This has impacted global oil flows, with nearly 20 percent of crude supplies from the Middle East failing to reach international markets.

India, which imports about 85 percent of its crude oil needs from over 40 countries, is among the nations most affected by the crisis.

Oil prices surge amid attacks on energy infrastructure

Amid rising tensions, global crude prices have surged sharply, with Brent crude crossing $115 per barrel. Iran has threatened further strikes on regional energy installations following attacks linked to Israeli actions.

Recent incidents include missile strikes on Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG facility, drone attacks on a Saudi refinery along the Red Sea, and fires reported at oil installations in Kuwait.

Government steps up monitoring and response

Authorities have stepped up efforts to manage the situation. The Directorate General of Shipping has facilitated the return of over 472 Indian seafarers so far, including 25 repatriated in the last 24 hours.

Despite the global disruption, India’s ports continue to operate without congestion. Officials confirmed that ports have sufficient storage capacity and are maintaining strict monitoring of vessel movement and cargo handling operations.

Heightened tensions in the Middle East have begun to ripple across global energy markets after Iran launched a missile strike on Ras Laffan, Qatar’s largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility. The attack has intensified fears of prolonged supply disruptions and rising fuel costs, with countries like India expected to feel the impact sharply.

The Gulf region has emerged as the focal point of escalating hostilities, with Iran targeting energy infrastructure and US-linked assets following strikes by the United States and Israel. The latest attack on Qatar’s key LNG hub has reportedly forced a complete halt in production at the facility, which is among the largest of its kind globally.

Qatar is a major LNG exporter and ranks alongside the United States, Australia and Russia in global supply. The disruption is not an isolated incident. Earlier in March, missile strikes on Qatari gas fields had already compelled QatarEnergy to suspend operations temporarily. These developments are linked to retaliatory actions following an Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, part of the world’s largest natural gas reserve.

The broader conflict has also affected maritime activity in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route that carries nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. With rising threats to shipping, tanker movement has slowed significantly, pushing global oil and gas prices higher.

The situation has further escalated with continued strikes and counterstrikes across the region. Reports indicate heavy casualties in Iran, while missile and drone attacks continue to target strategic assets. The conflict, now in its third week, has effectively turned key shipping lanes into high-risk zones, with hundreds of cargo vessels stranded near major Gulf ports.

Impact on India

India is particularly vulnerable to these disruptions due to its reliance on imported natural gas. Around 50 percent of the country’s gas demand is met through imports, with Qatar accounting for a significant share.

According to energy economist Kirit Parikh, India sources roughly 40 percent of its LNG imports from Qatar, translating to about 20 percent of its total gas consumption. Any prolonged disruption could therefore strain domestic supply.

India’s current daily natural gas consumption stands at about 189 million metric standard cubic meters per day (MMSCMD), with nearly half met through domestic production. However, a portion of imported supply—estimated at 47.4 MMSCMD—has already been affected due to force majeure conditions.

In response, state-run gas companies have started sourcing LNG cargoes from alternative suppliers. However, such arrangements are likely to come at higher costs, adding pressure on industries dependent on gas, particularly the power sector.

Experts suggest that if the crisis persists, India may need to rationalise gas consumption, prioritising essential sectors while cutting usage in others.

US President Donald Trump has said Israel will refrain from launching further attacks on Iran’s South Pars gas field unless Tehran chooses to strike Qatar again, amid a sharp escalation in tensions across the Gulf region.

In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that Israel’s earlier strike on Iran’s South Pars offshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) field was carried out “out of anger” over the ongoing conflict. He added that the United States had no prior knowledge of the Israeli action.

Trump also emphasised that Qatar had no involvement in the incident. “The United States knew nothing about this particular attack, and the country of Qatar was in no way, shape, or form involved with it,” he said.

According to Trump, Iran responded to the situation without full information and carried out what he described as an “unjustified” attack on Qatar’s LNG infrastructure.

He warned that Israel would not target the South Pars field again unless Iran escalates by attacking Qatar. However, he issued a strong warning that the United States could take direct action if such a scenario unfolds.

“If Qatar’s LNG is again attacked, the United States, with or without the help or consent of Israel, will respond with overwhelming force,” Trump said, while adding that he would prefer to avoid such escalation due to long-term consequences.

Iran strikes Qatar energy facilities

QatarEnergy confirmed that Iranian missile strikes hit LNG facilities in the country, causing fires and significant damage. Emergency teams were deployed to control the situation, and no casualties have been reported so far.

Qatar, one of the world’s leading exporters of natural gas, had already halted production earlier due to the conflict. The latest damage could further delay supply recovery, raising concerns in global energy markets.

Regional tensions widen

The situation intensified after Israel targeted Iran’s South Pars gas field, a major shared energy resource between Iran and Qatar. In retaliation, Iran expanded its strikes across the Gulf region.

Reports indicate that Iranian attacks also targeted gas infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, including the Habshan facility and Bab field. Authorities described the strikes as a “dangerous escalation,” though operations had been shut down following defensive interceptions.

Qatar has reportedly asked Iranian embassy officials to leave the country within 24 hours, signalling a further deterioration in diplomatic ties.

Oil prices surge amid supply fears

The ongoing conflict has significantly impacted global energy markets. Oil prices rose by around 5 per cent, crossing $108 per barrel, as concerns grew over supply disruptions.

The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for nearly one-fifth of global oil supply, remains under pressure, contributing to market volatility. Brent crude prices have surged करीब 50 per cent since the conflict began on February 28.

In response to tightening supplies, the US administration has moved to ease certain sanctions on Venezuela, allowing American companies to engage with its state-owned oil sector to stabilise supply.