New Delhi, Apr 4 — India on Saturday rejected reports that payment hurdles led to the diversion of an Iranian crude tanker from Gujarat to China, asserting that there are “no payment issues” and that crude supplies remain secured.
In a post on X, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas termed the claims “factually incorrect” and said refiners continue to source oil from Iran alongside other global suppliers. “There are no payment hurdles for Iranian crude imports,” the ministry said.
The clarification followed reports that the Aframax tanker Ping Shun, earlier indicating Vadinar in Gujarat as its destination, had rerouted mid-voyage to Dongying in China. Ship-tracking firm Kpler said the vessel, carrying an estimated 6,00,000 barrels loaded from Iran’s Kharg Island around March 4, was now signalling China as its destination.
Responding to the development, the ministry said such changes are routine in global oil trade. “Bills of Lading often carry indicative discharge ports, and on-sea cargoes can change destinations mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility,” it said, adding that claims of diversion overlook standard industry practices.
“Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran,” the ministry said, reiterating that supplies for the coming months remain “fully secured.”
The shipment on Ping Shun would have marked India’s first purchase of Iranian crude since 2019, when imports were halted following tighter US sanctions. Indian refiners have recently explored buying limited cargoes after Washington granted a temporary sanctions waiver.
The ministry also said an LPG vessel, Sea Bird, carrying about 44,000 tonnes of Iranian fuel, berthed at Mangalore on April 2 and is currently discharging cargo.
India was once a major importer of Iranian crude, buying up to 5,18,000 barrels per day in 2018, with Iran accounting for about 11.5 per cent of total imports. Purchases declined to 2,68,000 bpd between January and May 2019 before ceasing entirely after sanctions tightened.
The US last month allowed a 30-day window for purchases of Iranian oil at sea to ease global prices, a period set to expire on April 19. Industry estimates suggest about 95 million barrels of Iranian oil are currently stored on vessels, with a portion potentially available to Indian refiners.