A big ship carrying crude oil from Iran to India has changed its route towards China just before reaching Gujarat. This tanker named Ping Shun had reached near the Indian coast on 3 April 2026, but after a dispute related to payment, it was diverted towards China’s Dongying port. If this oil had come to India, it would have been the first delivery from Iran in the last seven years.
ℹ️: Decision postponed in the United Nations regarding security in the Strait of Hormuz, now voting will take place next week, the matter is on the security of ships.
After all, why was the route of the oil ship changed midway?
According to a report by ship-tracking firm Kpler, the Ping Shun tanker was loaded with about 6 lakh barrels of crude oil. The ship had left Kharg Island in Iran in early March and was to stop at Vadinar port in Gujarat. Experts say that Iranian sellers have now tightened the payment rules. Earlier, where they used to get credit for 30 to 60 days for purchasing oil, now they are demanding immediate money. This deal could not be completed due to problems in the banking system and methods of sending money.
Some key information related to payments and US sanctions
Ship Name: Ping Shun is an Aframax tanker.
Loading Time: It was loaded from Iran around 4 March 2026.
Changed path: This ship is now going to Dongying Port in Shandong province of China.
Old History: India had stopped taking oil from Iran in 2019 due to US sanctions.
Reason: The main reasons are payment conditions and Iran’s exclusion from the global banking network SWIFT.
India’s oil import plans affected due to cancellation of deal
The Indian government says that the purchase of oil from Iran entirely depends on trade benefits and conditions. Although the US relaxed the restrictions for some time in March 2026, difficulties like payment and shipping insurance still remain. Vadinar Port in Gujarat was waiting for this oil as it was a cargo booked for the refinery there. According to experts, such changes in trade with Iran have been seen before, but this was a big opportunity for India which has been missed at the moment.