New Delhi, 13 April (H.S.):

Two massive tankers laden with Iranian crude oil have docked at major Indian ports on the eastern and western coasts—the first such deliveries in nearly seven years—arriving amidst West Asian volatility and Iran's port blockade declaration, as per ship-tracking data.

Monday's tracking revealed one tanker reaching Paradip port in Odisha, followed by another anchoring off Gujarat's Sikka port, carrying approximately 2 million barrels loaded mid-March from Kharg Island. Operated by National Iranian Tanker Company, the VLCC Felicity dropped anchor late Sunday near Sikka, while Jaya—also bearing ~2 million barrels from late February Kharg loading—halted off Paradip.

These consignments mark the inaugural Iranian crude influx since sanctions halted imports post-2019, enabled by a U.S.-granted one-month waiver last month permitting en-route cargoes' sale. Aimed at easing global supply snarls and stabilizing prices, the waiver preceded Washington's weekend announcement blockading Iranian ports post-failed Pakistan peace talks—to throttle Tehran's oil revenue streams.

This timely replenishment underscores India's pragmatic energy diplomacy amid geopolitical flux, bolstering reserves against Hormuz disruptions.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar