Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 28: India has redirected its diesel exports away from the European Union this month following the EU’s ban on fuel refined from Russian crude, instead sending record volumes to West Africa, according to shipping data from Kpler and Vortexa.

The policy, aimed at penalising Russia over its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, has reshaped global oil flows. Analysts say the EU restrictions forced refiners to seek alternative markets, with Indian diesel increasingly supplied to Africa, freeing Middle Eastern fuel for European consumption.

In 2025, India exported an average of 137,000 barrels per day (bpd) of diesel to the EU, ranking as the bloc’s third-largest supplier. Russian crude accounted for 30% of India’s seaborne crude imports, while Turkey relied on Russia for 48% of its imports. Consequently, Turkey’s diesel exports to the EU fell sharply, dropping to around 45,000 bpd in January from 87,000 bpd monthly in 2025.

India’s diesel shipments to West Africa hit a record high of roughly 155,000 bpd in December and were around 84,000 bpd in January. Meanwhile, EU nations increased fuel imports from the US and the Middle East to diversify supplies ahead of the Russian fuel ban.

The market responded to these shifts, with Nifty Oil & Gas leading Wednesday’s indices with a 3.4% gain, while Brent crude futures traded between $66.50 and $67.50 per barrel, levels last seen in October.