India’s oil ship-ins from Russia increase
(MENAFN) India’s imports of Russian crude oil are set to reach approximately 1.8 million barrels per day in May — the highest level in ten months — according to a Reuters report citing shipping data from Kpler. The increase is primarily driven by Indian refiners ramping up purchases of lighter crude types, particularly the ESPO Blend sourced from Russia’s Eastern Siberian-Pacific Ocean pipeline.
Traders expect this trend to continue at least through July, with Indian refiners already securing over 10 cargoes of ESPO crude scheduled for June loading.
The latest purchases were made before the EU and UK enacted a fresh wave of sanctions aimed at Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and associated financial services. Despite Western pressure, India has continued to deepen its trade relationship with Russia, significantly increasing crude oil imports during the Ukraine conflict.
Earlier in 2025, India's intake of Russian oil had slightly declined, but rebounded starting in March. The resurgence is largely attributed to falling prices, which made Russian crude more attractive to Indian refiners. The price drop also freed up more non-sanctioned tankers, simplifying logistics for deliveries.
Following new Western sanctions in February, India reaffirmed its intent to keep buying Russian oil as long as three conditions were met: prices remained under $60 per barrel, non-sanctioned tankers were used, and no restricted entities were involved in the transactions.
In March, Russian crude made up over 35% of India’s total oil imports. The recent rise in purchases has further cemented Moscow’s role as a key energy supplier to India, Asia’s third-largest economy.
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