Tankers stranded at sea after India rejects Russian oil, Bloomberg reports

India’s reduced purchases of Russian oil have led to a sharp increase in the number of tankers idling off its coast and near Oman in recent weeks.

While the number of vessels near Oman has gradually declined, most of those that departed are now anchored closer to India’s coastline, with others heading toward China. Only one vessel has managed to unload.

The total volume of Russian oil currently stored on tankers has reached about 140 million barrels.

Russian oil shipments to India decline

Bloomberg reports that Russian oil deliveries to Indian ports fell sharply last month, dropping to around 1.2 million barrels per day. It is the lowest level in the past three years.

In January, the figure fell even further. Over the first 25 days of the month, imports averaged about 1.12 million barrels per day. The decline coincided with the European Union’s ban on imports of oil products made from Russian crude, which came into force on January 21.

Russia’s oil exports have fallen to their lowest level since August, as shipments to India dropped to a three-year low. This has put pressure on prices for Urals crude, with China remaining the only accessible market.

Indian refineries are also changing their procurement strategies. They aim to move away from Russian crude and increase purchases from the Middle East and the United States.

In December 2025, Russia faced a sharp drop in crude oil production, which was the largest in the last 18 months. The reasons are Western sanctions and Ukrainian strikes on oil refining infrastructure.