The Ministry of Petroleum And Natural Gas on Saturday, dismissed news reports and social media ports saying that Iran crude cargo was diverted to China from Vadinar, India because of “payment issues”. Calling the claim "factually inaccurate" in a post on 'X'.
"Amid Middle East supply disruptions, Indian refiners have secured their crude oil requirements, including from Iran; and there is no payment hurdle for Iranian crude imports, contrary to the rumours being circulated," the post said.
This statement comes after reports that The Ping Shun, an Aframax tanker built in 2002 which was to reach India's port in Vadinar was being diverted to China's Dongying citing ship tracking data. This was to be the first time India had purchased crude oil from Iran since 2019.
The post said that the claims were not concurrent with the reality of how oil trade functions. The Ministry stated that Bills of Lading tend to have indicative discharge ports destinations. It added that vessels carrying cargo can change destinations during the voyage due to trade optimisation and operational flexibility.
The Ministry also said that India's crude oil requirements are fully secured for the coming months and dismissed claims regarding Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG).
"LPG vessel Sea Bird carrying around 44 TMT Iranian LPG berthed at Mangalore, India on April 2 and is currently discharging," the post said.
The Ministry stated that India imports crude oil from over 40 countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources and geographies as per commercial considerations.
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