Russian Oil Tanker Makes U-Turn, Now Heading to India

A Russian oil tanker that was earlier heading to China has suddenly changed its route and is now moving towards India, highlighting a major shift in global oil trade. The tanker, named Aqua Titan, is expected to reach New Mangalore on March 21 with a cargo of Russian Urals crude oil.

According to ship-tracking data, the vessel had first set its destination as Rizhao port in China after loading oil from a Baltic Sea port in late January. However, in mid-March, it made a sharp U-turn in the South China Sea and started heading towards India. This change came shortly after the United States allowed India to temporarily increase its imports of Russian oil.

The move reflects India’s growing demand for energy as it faces supply issues due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, especially linked to the Iran conflict. In just one week after the US decision, Indian refiners bought nearly 30 million barrels of Russian oil. This shows how quickly India is increasing its purchases to secure fuel for the country.

Reports also suggest that at least seven tankers carrying Russian oil have changed their routes from China to India during their journey. This indicates that India is once again becoming a key buyer of Russian crude, after reducing imports in recent months.

Another tanker, Zouzou N., which is carrying Kazakh CPC Blend crude, has also changed its course and is now heading to Sikka port in India. It had earlier moved towards China but turned around in early March.

Experts believe that as more countries like Japan and South Korea return to buying Russian oil, global oil prices may rise. With more buyers entering the market, competition for supply is expected to increase.

The changing routes of these oil tankers clearly show how global politics and energy needs are reshaping trade patterns. India’s decision to boost Russian oil imports is playing a key role in this shift, making it an important player in the global energy market once again.