Shadow fleets — also referred to as dark or ghost fleets — consist of tankers operating outside the conventional regulatory framework that governs most global maritime traffic, often transporting sanctioned oil cargoes. (Representational image)
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REUTERS

India could see some near-term relief in crude oil supplies as several tankers carrying Russian crude — including vessels from the so-called “shadow fleet” — are changing course mid-voyage and heading towards Indian ports following a US waiver allowing the resumption of oil imports.

Shadow fleets — also referred to as dark or ghost fleets — consist of tankers operating outside the conventional regulatory framework that governs most global maritime traffic, often transporting sanctioned oil cargoes.

Vessel-tracking data from UK-based maritime analytics firms Lloyd’s List Intelligence and Vortexa indicate that at least four tankers have already diverted towards India. These include two sanctioned Aframax vessels, one sanctioned Suezmax and a non-sanctioned Very Large Crude Carrier (VLCC) that is part of the shadow fleet.

According to a Lloyd’s List Intelligence report, the Aframax tankers Oasis and Noble Walker, which are sanctioned by the EU and the UK but not by the US, were originally headed for China after loading crude from Russia’s Far East. Both vessels have since altered course mid-voyage.

Another vessel, the EU- and UK-sanctioned Suezmax Indri (Sierra Leone registered with nearly 80,000 tonne capacity), was initially sailing towards Singapore, before abruptly changing course on March 4. The tanker discharged crude originating from Russia’s Baltic region at Sikka port in Gujarat on March 9.

Similarly, data from Vortexa shows that about 60 million barrels of Russian crude are currently on the water, having been loaded before March 6 — the date the waiver was announced — and are within a typical 30-day sailing distance to India. Of this, around 24 million barrels are being transported on non-sanctioned vessels, while the remaining 36 million barrels are on sanctioned tankers.

Delia He, associate freight analyst at Vortexa, said the tanker ‘Sarah’ (Hong Kong registered with 1.60 lakh tonne capacity) would likely have moved into floating storage near Singapore while awaiting a buyer before redirecting its voyage. The vessel had sailed past Sri Lanka heading east when it began drifting on March 5. It completed its turnaround on March 8 and subsequently signalled Mundra in Gujarat as its next destination.

More diversions ahead

Industry analysts expect more such diversions in the coming weeks.

“We expect to see Russian crude oil in transit or in floating storage redirect to India,” said Mary Melton, senior tanker analyst at Braemar, quoted by Lloyd’s List.

Braemar said it has tracked six tankers — one VLCC and five Aframax/LR2 vessels — diverting from East Asian destinations where the cargo was originally expected to be discharged in China, and are now signalling India as their next port of call.

Published on March 12, 2026