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India Denies Iran Oil Cargo Diversion, Calls Reports "Factually Incorrect"

The Indian government has firmly denied media and social media reports claiming a sanctioned Iranian oil tanker was diverted from Gujarat's Vadinar port to China due to payment problems. The Ministry of Petroleum stated such reports are "factually incorrect" and misleading, emphasizing that Indian companies have full commercial flexibility to source crude from over 40 countries. It clarified that cargo destinations can change mid-voyage for trade optimization, which is a normal part of oil trade. The ministry also confirmed the successful arrival and unloading of an Iranian LPG shipment at Mangalore port.

Key Points: India Rejects Reports of Diverted Iranian Oil Cargo to China

  • Govt dismisses Iran oil diversion reports
  • Clarifies no payment issues with Iran
  • Says Indian firms source from 40+ countries
  • Confirms LPG cargo delivery at Mangalore
2 min read

'Factually incorrect': Govt slams reports of Iran oil cargo diversion

Indian government dismisses claims an Iranian crude shipment was diverted from Vadinar to China due to payment issues, calling reports misleading.

"The news reports... of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted... are factually incorrect - Ministry of Petroleum"

New Delhi, April 4

The government on Saturday dismissed reports and social media claims that an Iranian crude oil cargo was diverted from Vadinar in India to China due to payment issues, calling them "factually incorrect" and misleading.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has clarified that recent reports suggesting India lost an Iranian oil shipment due to payment problems are not true.

The government said India imports crude oil from more than 40 countries, and oil companies have full flexibility to choose suppliers based on commercial needs.

"The news reports and social media posts of an Iranian crude cargo being diverted from Vadinar, India to China due to 'payment issues' are factually incorrect," the ministry said in a post on X.

"India imports crude oil from over 40 countries, with companies having full flexibility to source oil from different sources and geographies based on commercial considerations," it added.

The clarification comes after reports claimed that a US-sanctioned tanker carrying Iranian crude, named Ping Shun, changed its route from Vadinar in Gujarat to Dongying in China.

According to ship tracking data, the vessel was initially headed towards India but later altered its destination, sparking speculation that payment issues may have caused the diversion.

Market analysts had suggested that stricter payment terms from sellers could be behind the sudden change in route.

However, the government has rejected this claim, stating that there is no payment hurdle for importing crude oil from Iran and that such rumours are misleading.

The ministry also reassured that despite ongoing supply disruptions in the Middle East, Indian refiners have already secured their crude oil requirements for the coming months, including supplies from Iran.

"Claims on vessel diversion ignore how oil trade works. Bills of Lading often carry indicative discharge ports destinations and on-sea cargoes can change destinations mid-voyage based on trade optimisation and operational flexibility," the ministry stated.

Addressing separate claims regarding LPG supplies, the government said reports were inaccurate.

It confirmed that an LPG vessel, Sea Bird, carrying around 44 thousand metric tonnes of Iranian LPG, arrived at Mangalore on April 2 and is currently unloading its cargo.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
The explanation about Bills of Lading and ships changing course mid-voyage for "trade optimisation" makes complete commercial sense. It's not some geopolitical drama, it's just business as usual in global shipping.
V
Vikram M
While I appreciate the clarification, I do wish our government spokespersons were this quick and detailed in responding to other important issues as well. Sometimes the communication gap itself fuels speculation.
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Priyanka N
The most important line is that refiners have secured supplies for coming months. With everything happening in the Middle East, energy security is crucial. This is reassuring for the common man worried about petrol prices.
R
Robert G
Interesting. So the ship tracking data showed a diversion, but the government says that's normal operational flexibility. It shows how raw data without context can be misinterpreted by analysts and journalists.
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Nikhil C
Baseless rumours cause so much trouble. People start forwarding WhatsApp messages about an impending fuel shortage. Good step by the Petroleum Ministry to put out a clear statement on X.

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