India Takes First Bold Step Against Shadow Fleet, Seizes 3 Oil Tankers West Of Mumbai

India captured 3 shadow fleet tankers carrying oil after intercepting them west of Mumbai.

Experts say this is the country’s first bold move against the growing shadow fleet of tankers engaged in illegal activities.

The Indian Coast Guard said that it busted an ‘international oil-smuggling’ group during an intense land and sea operation.

This group reportedly engaged in a mid-sea transfer of oil in international waters to move cheap oil from volatile regions to other smaller tankers, thereby evading sanctions and duties owed to the respective countries.

The tankers frequently changed their identities and are now being taken to Mumbai for further investigation and legal action.

This move has reinforced India’s role as an upholder of maritime security and international order, per the Coast Guard.

This also shows the mounting pressure on India from the West, especially the U.S which has been critical of New Delhi for buying Russian crude.

The U.S. has been asking India to stop importing oil from Moscow as part of the U.S-India trade agreement.

Amidst the turmoil, Indian refiners are trying to avoid Russian oil, and no new deals are being forged, per sources.

India’s biggest state-owned refiner, Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), has begun buying more crude from West Africa and the Middle Eastern nations as India is trying to steer clear of Russian oil after the trade deal with Washington.

Others, including Indian Oil and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), and private refiner Reliance Industries, have also not placed new orders for Russian crude in the previous week, per media reports.

Source: Maritime Shipping News