Home / Business and Economy / Russian Oil Tanker Defies Sanctions for Indian Refinery
Russian Oil Tanker Defies Sanctions for Indian Refinery
14 Mar
Summary
- Tanker 'Sarah' switched off transponders near Oman for Russian oil.
- Vessel diverted course to India after sanctions waiver issued.
- The tanker is expected to reach an Indian refinery on March 14th.
A Hong Kong-flagged tanker, the 20-year-old 'Sarah', engaged in activities to evade tracking by temporarily disabling its transponders. This occurred around February 22nd and 26th, off the coast of Oman, where it collected three loads of Russian oil from smaller vessels.
The tanker's intended route was likely towards Singapore, with a potential onward journey for the cargo to China. However, its plans shifted significantly after the United States issued a 30-day sanctions waiver on March 5th, permitting Indian refiners to purchase Russian crude.
As a direct consequence of this waiver, the 'Sarah' altered its course on March 6th. It is now en route to a refinery located in western India, with its arrival anticipated on March 14th, 2026.
