18 March,2026 03:44 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image. Pic/AFP
A Russian oil tanker that was originally headed for China has abruptly changed course in the South China Sea and is now en route to India, reflecting New Delhi's aggressive push to secure energy supplies amid ongoing global disruptions, according to reports.
The Aframax tanker Aqua Titan, carrying Urals crude, is expected to arrive at New Mangalore Port on March 21, according to ship-tracking data, as per reports.
The vessel had initially departed from a Baltic Sea port in late January with its destination set as Rizhao in China. However, in mid-March, while navigating Southeast Asian waters, the tanker made a sudden course correction and began heading towards India.
The rerouting comes shortly after the United States allowed India to temporarily increase imports of Russian oil, prompting a surge in purchases by Indian refiners, as per reports.
India has significantly increased its crude oil imports from Russia in recent weeks, as part of efforts to secure stable energy supplies amid disruptions in the Middle East.
The ongoing conflict involving Iran has impacted key global shipping routes and oil flows, particularly through the Strait of Hormuz, creating uncertainty in supply chains.
With oil supplies from the Middle East facing challenges due to geopolitical tensions, India has turned to alternative sources, including Russia, to meet its growing energy demand.
Industry data suggests that Indian refiners have stepped up procurement of Russian crude to offset potential shortages and maintain domestic fuel stability.
The development follows the recent arrival of Indian-flagged LPG carriers that successfully navigated the strategically sensitive Strait of Hormuz to deliver fuel to Gujarat ports.
These shipments highlighted India's diplomatic and logistical efforts to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies despite heightened risks in global shipping corridors.
Meanwhile, Indian-flagged tanker 'Jag Laadki', carrying around 80,886 metric tonnes (MT) of crude oil, arrived at Mundra Port in Gujarat on Wednesday amid the West Asia conflict, officials said.
A day earlier, LPG carrier 'Nanda Devi' arrived at Vadinar port in Gujarat's Devbhumi Dwarka district, carrying 46,500 metric tonnes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) navigating through the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, another vessel - 'Shivalik' - carrying LPG docked at Mundra Port.
Adani Ports, which operates Mundra Port, said in a statement that the crude oil carried by Jag Laadki was sourced from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and loaded at Fujairah Port there.
"Measuring 274.19 metres in length overall and 50.04 metres in beam, the tanker boasts a deadweight tonnage of approximately 164,716 tonnes and a gross tonnage of about 84,735 tonnes," it said.
The tanker's arrival at the Mundra Port underscores the facility's critical role in handling substantial crude imports, it said.
