Sanctioned Indian refiner turns to shadow fleet for tanker tonnage

Indian refiner Nayara Energy has tapped into the sanctioned tanker fleet to keep Russian crude flowing into its Vadinar plant.

The company, part-owned by Russian producer Rosneft, was blacklisted by the European Union in July.

Crude run-rates have reportedly been cut as the company struggled to find vessels to import feedstock

Some ships were reported to have pulled out of import and export fixtures.

The refiner said earlier this month that it was talking to the Indian government and its partners about maintaining operational stability.

Reuters cited a government source as saying the company has asked the shipping ministry for tankers to move refined products.

LSEG data shows that Nayara has imported at least seven cargoes of Russian oil on aframaxes this month.

Blacklisted vessels include the 105,400-dwt Centurion (built 2008), 106,000-dwt Mars 6, 115,600-dwt Pushpa (both built 2007) and Devika (ex-Apar, built 2009), according to Reuters.

The tankers shipped 700,000 barrels of Russian Urals crude each.

Nayara has not commented.

A shipping source said Indian owners are unwilling to operate for the company.

For petrol and gasoil exports, EU and UK-sanctioned LR1 and MR tankers have been used.

These include the 72,500-dwt Next (built 2004), 50,300-dwt Tempest Dream, 50,800-dwt Sard (both built 2006) and 46,000-dwt Leruo (built 2010).

Evgeniy Griva, Russia’s deputy trade representative to India, has said Nayara is getting oil supplies from Rosneft and is not facing supply problems.

source : tradewindsnews.