Russian oil tanker bound for China makes u-turn; Now heading towards New Mangalore Port

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Mar 18, 2026: A Russian oil tanker en route to China has made a mid-sea U-turn and is now heading towards New Mangalore Port, amid India’s renewed push to increase crude imports from Moscow.

The vessel Aqua Titan, carrying Urals crude loaded from a Baltic Sea port in late January, is expected to arrive at New Mangalore Port on March 21, according to ship-tracking data cited in an NDTV report.

The Aframax tanker had initially indicated Rizhao Port as its destination before reversing course in the South China Sea in mid-March. The diversion came shortly after the United States allowed India to temporarily scale up purchases of Russian oil.

Following this development, Indian refiners reportedly secured around 30 million barrels of Russian crude within a week, aiming to offset supply disruptions from the Middle East due to the ongoing Iran conflict.

Market analysts indicate that several countries, including Japan and South Korea, have also resumed Russian oil imports, potentially tightening global supply and pushing prices upward.

According to Vortexa Ltd., at least seven tankers carrying Russian crude have altered their destinations mid-voyage from China to India, with all major Indian refiners actively sourcing Russian oil.

In a related development, the Suezmax tanker Zouzou N. is now headed to Sikka Port with an expected arrival on March 25. The vessel, carrying Kazakh CPC Blend crude, had initially sailed towards Chinese waters before rerouting to India earlier this month.