Russia seeks more gasoline from India after Ukraine attacks refineries, sources say
RoydadNaft – Top Russian energy companies have approached Indian refiners for more gasoline after Ukrainian strikes knocked out a significant portion of Russia’s refining capacity, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Wednesday.
At least one cargo of Indian gasoline has already sailed to Russia and more are expected, with nearly 40% of Russia’s refining capacity unlikely to return for at least two months if there are no further attacks, one of the sources with knowledge of the matter said.
Sources at three Indian state refiners said Russian companies had approached them for more gasoline but that they have no surplus volumes to export. They and the other two sources spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
Indian Oil Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said earlier this month that Indian companies were not selling fuel to Russia but it was possible that Russia purchased Indian-origin fuel from traders.
SHIP-TO-SHIP TRANSFERS
One of the sources familiar with the matter said any further supplies from India could reach Russia through ship-to-ship transfers. Russia would seek supplies of diesel if Ukrainian attacks knocked out further refining capacity, though there were enough supplies of the fuel for now, the source added.
Tanker Agni loaded with 42,000 metric tons of gasoline from Nayara’s Vadinar port between June 18 and 20 and did a ship-to-ship transfer of the cargo onto the vessel Garnet at Damietta Light near Egypt, between July 6 and 7, Kpler said in a note citing satellite imagery. Garnet is expected to reach Vitino in Russia around July 26, the ship tracking agency said.
Shipping sources said another tanker, Varg, loaded with gasoline from Nayara’s Vadinar port, was bound for Suez, where the cargo is expected to be transferred to another vessel off Egypt for onward shipment to Russia.
Nayara told Reuters it “has neither sold nor has any plans to sell fuel to Russian companies”.
“Nayara Energy remains committed to serving the Indian market and meeting the demand for fuels across the length and breadth of India,” it said in response to questions from Reuters.
“As the country’s largest private sector fuel retailer, our only priority is to ensure optimum supplies to over 7,000 stations and other channels including bulk customers.”
