US Sanctions Force Russian Oil Ships to Reroute From India
At least two vessels carrying Russian crude oil to India have diverted course following a fresh wave of U.S. sanctions targeting ships linked to Iran and Russia, according to trade sources and LSEG shipping data, reported by Arab News.
The Aframax-class Tagor and Guanyin, along with the Suezmax Tassos, were initially bound for Indian ports this month. All three vessels are now under U.S. sanctions imposed by the Treasury Department earlier this week as part of a broader crackdown on entities allegedly supporting Iran and aiding Russia’s oil trade.
Tagor, previously headed for Chennai on India’s east coast, is now rerouting to Dalian, China, while Tassos, once destined for western India, is diverting toward Port Said, Egypt. Guanyin continues on course to Sikka, a key port in Gujarat used by major Indian refiners including Reliance Industries and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (BPCL), though Reliance has denied involvement in the current shipment.
Indian Oil Corporation, expected to receive Tagor’s cargo, and BPCL have not commented on the redirection. Zulu Shipping, connected to the Panama-flagged Tagor and Tassos, and Silver Tetra Marine, the owner of Guanyin, also remain silent. Both companies have been blacklisted by Washington.
U.S. sanctions have increasingly disrupted India’s access to discounted Russian oil, a trade that now accounts for over one-third of India’s crude imports. The West aims to squeeze Russia’s war chest as the Ukraine conflict grinds on, and Washington has warned of further punitive measures unless Moscow pursues a peace deal.
Separately, two other Russian oil carriers — Achilles and Elyte — are preparing to discharge Urals-grade crude for Reliance, despite both being sanctioned by the U.K. and the European Union. India, while continuing its oil trade with Russia, has criticized the EU’s sanctions, calling them extraterritorial and disruptive.
