Russian Oil Adrift: Stranded Cargo Secures New Tanker Amid India’s Ban

By Weilun Soon and Rakesh Sharma
Apr 4, 2025 (Bloomberg) – A shipment of Russian crude oil that indian port authorities turned away is now being transferred to a different tanker, highlighting how traders are creatively navigating regulatory challenges to keep their operations running smoothly.

The Andaman Skies, a vessel registered in Honduras, is currently transferring its load of 767,000 barrels of Russian arctic crude to the Ozanno, which flies the flag of Sao Tome and Principe. This maneuver follows india’s refusal to allow Andaman Skies entry due to missing documentation proving its seaworthiness. The Ozanno is expected to dock at an undisclosed location on India’s western coast this weekend.

A spokesperson from India’s shipping ministry has yet to respond regarding this situation. Initially intended for Indian Oil Corporation Ltd., the cargo aboard andaman Skies has been stuck off Mumbai’s coast for nearly two weeks as it sought alternative options for unloading its Varandey crude sourced from Murmansk.

India has become a significant purchaser of Russia’s seaborne oil since Western sanctions where imposed following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Traders have been adept at finding ways around U.S. penalties by obscuring connections between vessels or shipments and sanctioned entities.

Interestingly, while Andaman Skies itself isn’t blacklisted by the U.S., it does face sanctions from both the UK and EU—yet its current predicament seems more about paperwork than politics. Simultaneously occurring, Ozanno recently completed a delivery of 730,000 barrels of Urals crude from Primorsk before arriving in Jamnagar on March 28.

In today’s global trade landscape,such scenarios are becoming increasingly common as companies adapt quickly to shifting regulations and geopolitical tensions—much like how tech firms pivot their strategies amid changing data privacy laws worldwide. As we watch these developments unfold in maritime logistics, it’s clear that flexibility remains key for traders navigating these turbulent waters.

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