MUMBAI, India — India sharply reduced diesel shipments to the European Union this month following the bloc’s ban on fuel refined from Russian crude, redirecting record volumes to West Africa and reshaping global oil trade flows, according to shipping data.
Data from Kpler and Vortexa showed that the European Union’s policy has also slowed Turkey’s previously strong diesel exports to the bloc in recent months. The ban, introduced to penalize Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, has forced refiners to seek alternative markets and triggered a broader reordering of global fuel flows, analysts said.
Industry experts said the reshuffle is likely to result in increased Indian diesel shipments to Africa, which in turn could free up more Middle Eastern supply for Europe.
India averaged about 137,000 barrels per day of diesel exports to the EU in 2025, ranking as the bloc’s third-largest supplier, according to Kpler and Vortexa data. Russian crude accounted for roughly 30 percent of India’s seaborne crude imports in 2025, while it represented about 48 percent of Turkey’s seaborne crude imports last year, the data showed.
Turkey’s diesel exports to the EU have slowed sharply, with January flows to European countries dropping to around 45,000 barrels per day, compared with an average of about 87,000 barrels per day in 2025.
Under the EU rules, fuel from refineries that can segregate Russian crude is permitted. Otherwise, refiners must demonstrate they have not imported Russian crude in the 60 days prior to a cargo’s bill of lading.
India’s diesel exports to West Africa were set to reach an all-time high in December at around 155,000 barrels per day, while shipments in January were nearing 84,000 barrels per day, according to the data.
Meanwhile, EU countries increased fuel imports from the United States and Middle Eastern suppliers, with volumes reaching a three-month high in January as the bloc diversified supplies ahead of the ban.
In equity markets, the Nifty Oil and Gas index was the top performer on Wednesday, rising 3.40 percent as global oil prices climbed. Brent crude futures were trading in the range of $66.50 to $67.50 per barrel, levels last seen in October. (Source: IANS)
