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New US sanctions most likely to suppress Indian imports of Russian coal, traders state

New U.S. sanctions on Moscow are more likely than previous ones to cut Indian Because they specifically, imports of thermal coal from Russia cite leading exporters SUEK and Mechel, three significant traders of Russian coal said.

Russia, traditionally a minor exporter of the fuel to India, began increasing deliveries to the south Asian country after Western sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

The current U.S. sanctions also include Russia's payment system, financial institutions and energy production.

With the brand-new sanctions, I do not anticipate any of the huge Indian companies to buy Russian cargoes, one significant Indian trader told on the sidelines of the Coaltrans conference in the western Indian state of Goa.

The traders, 2 Indian and one Russian, decreased to be named as they are not authorised to speak to the media.

Shipments of coal will still not stop, however individuals will be more hesitant to touch Russian freights, the second Indian trader stated, adding that the sanctions might benefit other coal suppliers such as Indonesia, Australia and South Africa.

Ship tracking data evaluated reveals Indian conglomerates JSW Group, Vedanta and consortium Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel India were amongst the biggest importers of Russian thermal coal in the last 6 months.

The 3 business did not instantly respond to requests for discuss any potential effect from the brand-new sanctions.

SUEK, Russia's largest coal producer and exporter, did not reply to an email seeking comment. was not immediately able to reach Mechel for comment.

Proof of any immediate negative effect of the brand-new U.S. sanctions revealed recently might not be established, as cargoes of thermal coal typically take more than two weeks to sail from Russia to India.

Russian materials of thermal coal increased by 19% in 2023 to 10.06 million metric heaps, or almost 6% of Indian imports of the fuel, consultancy Bigmint stated.

India's trade ministry had no instant talk about the impact of the sanctions on trade with Russia, but in a note on Wednesday the oil ministry highlighted longstanding ties with Moscow and future plans for collaborations across sectors.

India had become the greatest purchaser of Russian seaborne crude since the start of the Ukraine war, a trade that also deals with hurdles from the brand-new U.S. sanctions

While broadening trade with Moscow given that Western sanctions. following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, New Delhi has regularly required complete cessation of all hostilities, including in the note launched by the oil ministry on Wednesday.

(source: Reuters)