Russian Tankers Reroute to India from China

At least seven Russian oil tankers laden with crude have abruptly changed course from destinations in China to Indian ports in recent weeks, highlighting a rapid reconfiguration of global energy trade amid supply disruptions and policy shifts.

Shiptracking data indicate the vessels, carrying significant volumes of Russian Urals crude and other grades, reversed direction in Southeast Asian waters during mid-March. One prominent example is the Aframax tanker Aqua Titan, which loaded its cargo at Russia's Primorsk port on the Baltic Sea in late January and initially signaled arrival at Rizhao in China. The ship executed a U-turn and is now en route to the port of New Mangalore on India's west coast, with an expected arrival on March 21. Similarly, the Suezmax tanker Zouzou N., departing from Novorossiysk on Russia's Black Sea coast with Kazakh CPC Blend crude, altered its path in early March after heading toward Chinese waters. It is now bound for Sikka, another Indian port, slated to arrive around March 25.

The diversions coincide with a temporary U.S. policy concession issued on March 6, granting Indian firms a 30-day window to increase purchases of Russian oil already at sea....