The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas on Saturday clarified that reports suggesting an Iranian crude oil shipment destined for Vadinar, India, was being rerouted to China due to payment issues are “incorrect.” In a statement on Twitter, the ministry said that Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements from multiple sources, including Iran, and there are no hurdles in importing Iranian crude.
“The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar to China due to payment issues are factually incorrect,” the ministry said.
The vessel destination changes
The Ministry explained that changes in a vessel’s listed destination do not necessarily indicate trade problems. Bills of Lading often mention indicative discharge ports, while actual cargo destinations can be adjusted mid-voyage for operational and commercial reasons.
This is a routine practice in the global oil trade and does not reflect payment disputes or supply shortages.
“India imports crude oil from over 40 countries, and companies have full flexibility to source oil based on commercial considerations,” the ministry added.
Indian refiners’ supply situation
The government reassured that India’s crude oil supplies remain fully secured for the coming months, even amid disruptions in the Middle East. The clarification also extended to LPG imports, noting that the vessel Sea Bird, carrying approximately 44,000 tonnes of Iranian LPG, successfully berthed at Mangalore on April 2 and is currently unloading.
The news of the vessel Ping Shun, a US-sanctioned Aframax tanker built in 2002, supposedly changing course from Vadinar to China sparked speculation yesterday. Ship tracking firm Kpler reported the vessel signaling Dongying, China, instead of Vadinar.
