A Russian oil tanker originally bound for China has reversed course in the South China Sea and is now headed to India, reflecting a sharp shift in global crude flows as New Delhi ramps up purchases from Moscow.
The tanker Aqua Titan, carrying Urals crude, is expected to arrive at New Mangalore on March 21, according to ship-tracking data. The vessel had initially signalled China’s Rizhao port as its destination after loading cargo from a Baltic Sea port in late January. However, it altered course in Southeast Asian waters in mid-March, days after the United States allowed India to temporarily step up imports of Russian oil.
The move comes as Indian refiners significantly increased buying, securing around 30 million barrels of Russian crude in the week following the concession. The surge is aimed at offsetting disruptions in Middle Eastern supplies amid the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
Market data indicates a broader trend. At least seven tankers carrying Russian oil have changed course mid-voyage from China to India in recent weeks, according to Vortexa Ltd. All major Indian refiners are now actively purchasing Russian crude, signalling a renewed demand after a period of reduced imports.
The shift could also impact global pricing. With more countries, including Japan and South Korea, being allowed to resume purchases from Russia, analysts expect increased competition for supply, potentially pushing prices higher.
In a separate development, the Suezmax tanker Zouzou N. is now headed to India’s Sikka port with an estimated arrival of March 25. The vessel, carrying Kazakh CPC Blend crude, had departed from Novorossiysk on Russia’s Black Sea coast and initially moved toward Chinese waters before changing course earlier this month.
A Thai-flagged cargo vessel was hit in the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday after departing from the United Arab Emirates ahead of the continued regional tensions on one of the world’s most important shipping straits. The attack led to the disappearance of three people and injuries to other members.
This comes ahead of the spate of attacks on the ships following the war in West Asia. Earlier this month, the ship, Mayuree Naree, a 30,000-ton bulk owned by Precious Shipping PCL, was sailing towards India when it was attacked. As said by Thai navy spokesman Paraj Ratanajaipan, the Omani navy rescued 20 crew members, who abandoned ship and evacuated in a lifeboat.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said that if the attacks continue on Iran, they would not allow “one liter of oil” to be shipped from West Asia to the US, Israel, or any country associated with them as a partner. Efforts are underway to recover the remaining crew members from the vessel, and the attack is under investigation.
Precious Shipping, operating 41 vessels under Thai, Singaporean, and Panamanian flags, said it is working with authorities to repatriate the crew members evacuated to Oman back to Thailand.
The precious shipping said the attack would not have a material financial impact or directly disrupt the overall operations, as the Mayuree Naree was covered by war-risk insurance.
Meanwhile, the Thai National Shippers’ Council said that the incident could intensify the tensions in the region and disrupt shipping.
Earlier to this, the UK Navy said that three ships were attacked by the projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf. An Indian crew member was killed after the Safesea Vishnu, sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands, came under attack near Basra on March 11, 2026.
According to a statement posted by the Embassy of India in Baghdad on X, the remaining 15 Indian crew members were safely evacuated and moved to a secure location. The embassy said it is in regular contact with Iraqi authorities and the rescued sailors and is providing all necessary assistance. It also expressed its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased crew member.
