Iranian oil ship drops India, heads to China

An Iranian crude-carrying tanker that had been en route to India for the past three days has abruptly dropped its Indian destination near arrival and is now signalling China, raising fresh uncertainty over a potential resumption of oil trade between New Delhi and Tehran.

Ship-tracking data showed that tanker “Ping Shun”, which had earlier indicated Vadinar port in Gujarat as its destination, is now signalling Dongying in China’s Shandong

province, according to energy intelligence firm Kpler. The vessel, built in 2002 and sanctioned by the US in 2025, was carrying an estimated 6 lakh barrels of Iranian crude and was expected to reach India this week. If the delivery had materialised, it would have marked India’s first import of Iranian oil in nearly seven years, after shipments were halted in 2019 due to tightening US sanctions.

However, in a last-minute development, the tanker altered its declared destination mid-voyage — a move analysts say reflects the complexities of sanctions compliance, payment mechanisms and insurance risks surrounding Iranian oil trade.

“There is no confirmation that the destination indicated via AIS is final and it may change again during transit,” Kpler analysts noted, underlining the fluid nature of such maritime signals.

The development comes days after the Centre said it had “no specific information” about any Iranian oil-bearing vessel heading to India, even as reports suggested the Ping Shun could dock at Vadinar around April 4.

India had halted Iranian crude imports in May 2019 following US sanctions, forcing refiners to diversify sourcing towards Russia, West Asia and other suppliers. While recent geopolitical shifts and supply constraints had sparked speculation about a possible revival of Iranian flows, the tanker’s sudden diversion underscores persistent structural and financial hurdles.

Meanwhile, three Indian-flagged vessels are expected to arrive in India in the coming days, with one already transiting the Strait of Hormuz, even as tight supplies and regional tensions continue to shape energy flows.

Industry sources said the LPG carrier "Green Sanvi", carrying around 44,000 tonnes of LPG, is currently passing through the strait. Two more vessels - "Green Asha" and "Jag Vikram" -- are likely to follow shortly. Shipping data places Green Sanvi near the Gulf of Oman.

Meanwhile, three Indian-flagged vessels are expected to arrive in India in the coming days, with one already transiting the Strait of Hormuz, even as tight supplies and regional tensions continue to shape energy flows.

Industry sources said the LPG carrier “Green Sanvi”, carrying around 44,000 tonnes of LPG, is currently passing through the strait. Two more vessels – “Green Asha” and “Jag Vikram” -- are likely to follow shortly. Shipping data places Green Sanvi near the Gulf of Oman.