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.