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RPT-India's Dependence declining Sovcomflot oil deliveries after sanctions, sources state

India's Reliance Industries, operator of the world's. greatest refining complex, will not buy Russian oil loaded on. tankers operated by carrier Sovcomflot (SCF) after current U.S. sanctions, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

The advancement contributes to oil export problems for Russia as. its oil firms might face difficulties finding ships to sell. surplus oil after current Ukrainian drone attacks on the state's. refineries. Russian business are currently having a hard time to collect. payments for oil exports due to banking restrictions.

The U.S. has imposed comprehensive sanctions on Russia. given that its

intrusion of Ukraine

2 years earlier. In February, the U.S. enforced

sanctions

on Sovcomflot and 14 petroleum tankers involved in Russian. oil transportation.

Reliance, a large purchaser of Russian Urals oil, has asked for. that the new materials not be shipped by Sovcomflot-operated. tankers, according to the sources, who declined to be called due. to the level of sensitivity of the matter.

Sovcomflot and Dependence agents didn't react to. ' requests for comment.

Meanwhile, more Indian refiners plan to avoid the use of. Sovcomflot vessels, which may weigh on India's import of Russian. oil and leave Russia with less outlets to place its flagship. product, three sources in India's government and refining sector. stated.

Indian refiners, looking for to avoid any backlash from. Washington, are being extra mindful due to tighter examination. of Russian oil offers by banks and U.S. authorities. The refiners. want to avoid the involvement of entities that are straight or. indirectly sanctioned, the sources said.

Our preference is that refiners need to not take oil in. sanctioned vessels, due to the fact that of our business and political. interests and the U.S. sanctions, one of the sources in India's. government said. The source added that the federal government would. choose the entry of the sanctioned vessels or Sovcomflot. ships to Indian ports.

India oil and shipping ministries did not react to . ask for comments.

Since October last year, the United States has actually enforced a. raft of sanctions on entities, shippers, traders, and vessels. for breaching a price cap on Russian oil.

One of the refining sources stated that India's crude imports. from Russian may decline as the variety of vessels would be. lowered and that might boost freight costs.

SCF actively use their vessels, however traders are wary of. fixing any as purchasers and even ports may decline the cargo, one. trader in the Russian oil market said, adding that more. Sovcomflot vessels were dedicated for voyages to China now.

(source: Reuters)