India-bound Russian oil tanker turns back amid fresh US sanctions, refiners on alert
Chennai: An India-bound oil tanker carrying Russian crude has abruptly reversed course in the Baltic Sea, raising concerns over possible disruptions in the oil trade between India and Russia, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.
The vessel, identified as Furia, had loaded around 730,000 barrels of Urals crude from Russia’s Primorsk port and was originally headed for Sikka port in Gujarat. The tanker turned back and updated its destination to Port Said in Egypt, after reaching the Fehmarn Belt between Denmark and Germany, as reported by The New Indian Express. The turnaround of the tanker suggests potential shipping, insurance, other complexities arising from sanctions enforcement and issues linked to the latest US sanctions.
The fresh sanctions on Russian energy majors, including Rosneft and Lukoil, require all ongoing transactions to be wound down by November 21. This will raise an uncertainty among Indian refiners that rely on discounted Russian supplies.
While early indications suggest that Indian oil imports from Russia may fall significantly or possibly pause temporarily, refiners such as Reliance Industries, Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum are reevaluating their contracts.
Since 2022, India has emerged as one of the largest purchasers of Russian crude. It has been benefiting from the significant discounts that have raised refining margins and reduced import expenses. Industry analysts warn that any disruption might push refiners to seek more expensive alternatives from the Middle East, Africa, or Latin America, raising fuel input costs and reducing revenues.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Nat Sciver-Brunt's first-ever ton of WPL history powers MI's 15-run victory against RCB
Vadodara (PTI): Nat Sciver-Brunt (100 not out) hit the first-ever century of Women’s Premier League history in its fourth edition as dominant Mumbai Indians beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru by 15 runs, despite Richa Ghosh's whirlwind 90, here on Monday.
In a must-win game to remain in contention for play-offs, defending champions Mumbai hit their strides to produce a near-perfect performance with the bat, piling up 199 for four.
But, despite making early inroads to leave RCB reeling at 35 for 5 inside the powerplay, MI bowlers appeared clueless against Richa who hammered 10 fours and six sixes to make 90 off 50 balls in her team's 184 for 9.
RCB collected 43 runs in the last two overs, with India all-rounder Amanjot Kaur being smacked for three sixes in a row by Richa.
Hayley Matthews (56 and 3/10), who had earlier struck a vital half-century, jolted MI twice as she accounted for skipper Smriti Mandhana (6) and Georgia Voll (9) in the fourth over, and for Radha Yadav (0) in her next.
Shabnim Ismail (2/25), who had struck first to remove Grace Harris (15), cleaned up Gautami Naik (1) for her second wicket while also took a sharp catch in the deep to help Matthews dismiss Radha.
With the win, Mumbai jumped to second spot with six points from seven matches. Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants are also on six points from six matches each but Mumbai have better Net Run Rate.
Earlier, England's Sciver-Brunt (100 not out) struck the first-ever century in WPL to fire Mumbai Indians to a formidable 199for 4.
Sciver-Brunt’s 57-ball unbeaten ton and Matthews’ 56 laid the foundation for a big total for Mumbai Indians.
Matthews and Sciver-Brunt put on 131 runs off 73 balls for the second wicket in a whirlwind partnership in which they not only rotated strike well but unleashed a flurry of boundaries.
Matthews struck nine fours to make 56 off 39 balls while Sciver-Brunt hammered 16 fours and one six for her 100 not out.
The pair came together early in the third over when Lauren Bell (2/21) trapped Sajeevan Sajana (7) in front of the wickets.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indians: 199 for 4 in 20 overs (Hayley Matthews 56, Nat Sciver-Brunt 100 not out; Lauren Bell 2/21) beat Royal Challengers Bengaluru 184/9 in 20 overs (Richa Ghosh 90 not out; Shabnim Ismail 2/25, Hayley Matthews 3/10) by 15 runs.
