Iranian Crude Tankers Arrive Near India After Seven Years

Two sanctioned supertankers carrying Iranian crude have reportedly anchored near Indian ports, marking a potential first arrival of such shipments in nearly seven years. The development comes amid rising global energy tensions and renewed efforts by the United States to restrict Iran’s oil exports.

India had stopped importing Iranian crude in 2019 following US sanctions. However, a recent waiver allowing purchases of oil already loaded on vessels has reopened limited trade channels, aiming to stabilize global energy supplies during the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Two Iranian Oil Tankers Anchor Near Indian Ports

According to ship-tracking data, two very-large crude carriers carrying Iranian oil have reached Indian waters. The vessels are believed to be carrying around 4 million barrels of crude combined, loaded from Iran’s Kharg Island oil export terminal.

One of the ships, Felicity, has anchored near Sikka in western India. The tanker is owned by the National Iranian Tanker Company and is carrying approximately 2 million barrels of crude loaded in mid-March.

Another vessel, Jaya, has been reported near Paradip on India’s east coast, after loading crude from Kharg Island in late February. The ownership details of the ship remain unclear, a common pattern among vessels linked to sanctioned Iranian oil trade routes.

US Waiver Allows Limited Iranian Oil Purchases

The arrival of these tankers follows a temporary US waiver permitting the sale of Iranian oil and petrochemical products already loaded onto vessels. The decision was reportedly made to prevent a sharp rise in global oil prices amid escalating conflict in the Middle East.

Under this waiver, Indian refiners are allowed to take delivery of crude already in transit. Reports suggest that Indian Oil Corporation has purchased at least one such cargo, although official confirmation has not been made public.

The policy shift has created a narrow window for crude imports from Iran after years of strict sanctions-driven restrictions.

Uncertainty Over US Policy and Shipping Routes

Despite the waiver, uncertainty remains over how US geopolitical strategies could impact ongoing shipments. Reports indicate that proposed restrictions on vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz could further complicate crude transport routes from Iran.

This raises questions about the stability of temporary exemptions and their long-term impact on global oil trade flows, especially for major import-dependent economies like India.

Indian Refineries Monitor Crude Supply Situation

Indian refiners, including state-owned and private operators, are closely monitoring the situation as crude deliveries arrive at key ports such as Paradip and Sikka. These facilities are critical entry points for India’s energy supply chain.

Companies like Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Reliance Industries operate major refining and import infrastructure in these regions, though none have officially confirmed specific cargo ownership details.