At least four oil tankers laden with Russian crude are waiting off India’s western coast, as the Asian country’s purchases of the commodity come under the spotlight amid pressure from the US and European Union.
The Achilles and Elyte are currently anchored near Jamnagar, ship-tracking data show. The vessels were slated to discharge at Sikka on Aug. 2 and 3, after picking up cargoes in late June from Primorsk and Ust Luga, where Russia’s flagship Urals crude is usually loaded. Both tankers have been sanctioned by the EU and UK.
More than a third of India’s oil imports come from Russia, and the flows have made headlines in recent weeks, beginning with a fresh round of EU sanctions in mid-July. This week, the Trump administration cited the purchases as a reason to hit India with hefty import tariffs and also threatened more unspecified penalties for taking the oil. New Delhi has since asked refiners to devise and share plans on sourcing crude from elsewhere.
Achilles and Elyte, both Aframaxes, have an oil-carrying capacity of about 700,000 barrels each. Sikka port serves Reliance Industries Ltd. as well as Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd.
Reliance and BPCL did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Two other tankers, the Destan and Horae, are also idling further off the coast with Urals crude after picking up their cargoes between June 24 and July 1, ship-tracking data show. Destan, sanctioned by the EU and UK, is expected to reach Sikka in the coming days. Horae, whose destination remains unclear, is not sanctioned by the EU, UK or US. The destinations of the tankers, both Aframaxes, may change.
