Ships with Russian oil signal Reliance plant as destination

AT LEAST THREE tankers carrying Russian crude are indicating Reliance Industries' plant on India's west coast as their next destination, after the refiner restarted some purchases for domestic production.

- RAKESH SHARMA & SERENE CHEONG

The vessels, laden with nearly 2.2 million barrels of Urals, are currently signalling the huge Jamnagar complex and are expected to deliver their cargoes early this month, according to data analytics firm Kpler.

Kpler tracks the movement of vessels based on live signals sent by captains detailing their current location and upcoming discharge ports. Destinations can change as the ships approach India.

A Reliance spokesman denied that the cargoes had been purchased by the company, adding that it didn't have any committed shipments of Russian crude for delivery in January.