India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, has not officially imported Iranian crude since 2019 due to sanctions pressure, though recent global energy volatility has renewed attention on alternative supply arrangements.
| Photo Credit:
Dado Ruvic
India’s shipping
ministry has granted special permission to four vessels carrying
Iranian oil – as requested by Reliance Industries – to
berth at the western port of Sikka, three industry sources said.
India’s oil ministry, shipping ministry and Reliance did not
respond to Reuters emails seeking comments.
Iranian oil is often transported by a so-called shadow fleet
of vessels that lack internationally recognised insurance and
safety certifications.
But this requires special permission from the government as
exemptions are required under Indian rules for the berthing of
ships.
One of the sources said the shipping ministry has granted a
special one-time exemption to vessels requested by Reliance,
operator of the world’s biggest refining complex, due to the
emergency situation created by the closure of the Strait of
Hormuz.
Apart from Comoros-flagged aframax Kaviz and Curacao-flagged
large crude carrier (VLCC) Lenore, permission has been granted
to Iran-flagged VLCCs Felicity and Hedy, a second source said.
All four U.S.-sanctioned vessels are more than 20 years old.
India typically requires tankers that are more than 20 years
old to have seaworthiness certification from a member of the
International Association of Classification Societies, or an
entity authorised by India’s maritime administration.
However, another source said, despite the grant of
permission, it was not definitely clear that Reliance would
process Iranian oil, as it wants to ensure that transactions are
sanctions-compliant and are in line with Indian rules.
India, the world’s third-biggest oil importer and consumer,
has not received a cargo from Tehran since May 2019 following
U.S. pressure not to buy Iranian crude.
However, the U.S. last month temporarily waived sanctions on
the purchase of Iranian oil at sea to ease oil prices.
The waiver is due to expire on April 19.
Indian Oil Corp, the country’s top refiner, has purchased
Iranian oil carried in the sanctioned tanker Jaya, ship tracking
data shows.
Published on April 11, 2026
