US sanctions hit hard: Russian oil tanker “Furia” turns back from India amid trade freeze
A Russian oil tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of crude has been forced to halt its journey to India after the latest US sanctions came into force. The vessel, named “Furia”, departed from Primorsk on October 20 with a cargo of Urals crude bound for India’s Sikka port — but abruptly turned around in the Baltic Sea, Bloomberg reported, citing ship-tracking data.This was reported by G.Business, citing Bloomberg.
According to Kpler and Vortexa, the tanker was navigating through the Fehmarn Belt between Denmark and Germany when it reversed course and slowed to a near standstill. The turnaround came just days after Washington imposed new restrictions on Rosneft and Lukoil, demanding that all business dealings with these firms end by November 21.
Impact of US sanctions now visible
The incident marks one of the first tangible signs that the sanctions are disrupting Russian oil exports, especially those headed for India — one of Moscow’s top buyers since the invasion of Ukraine.
Executives from Reliance Industries and Bharat Petroleum confirmed to Bloomberg that they expect a sharp decline in Russian shipments as financial transactions and insurance operations face tighter scrutiny.
The “Furia” later listed Port Said, Egypt, as its new destination, a move analysts interpret as an attempt to buy time or find alternative buyers. Tankers using the Suez Canal route often signal Port Said before redirecting toward new destinations.
Political response and German exemption
On October 23, US President Donald Trump announced a comprehensive sanctions package targeting Russia’s energy sector, adding Rosneft, Lukoil, and their subsidiaries to the blacklist.
The measures prohibit all financial and logistical transactions with the companies or any entities they control.
In Europe, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz urged the US to exclude Rosneft Deutschland, which remains under state management in Germany. Shortly afterward, the US Treasury granted an exemption, allowing limited operations for the German branch.
Market shock and global implications
Financial markets reacted immediately: Lukoil’s stock fell over 7% in two days, erasing more than $3.6 billion in market value. Analysts warn that Russia’s oil exports to India could drop to nearly zero, forcing New Delhi to diversify suppliersand potentially driving up regional energy prices.
The case of the “Furia” may signal broader instability in Russia’s shipping operations as sanctions enforcement intensifies across Western ports and insurers withdraw coverage for high-risk cargo.
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