INDUSTRY
India now a crucial diesel supplier to Europe as Russian shipments hit hurdles
- IBJ Bureau
- Sep 07, 2026
India is emerging as an increasingly important supplier of diesel to Europe, as Russian exports remain sharply constrained and US shipments to the region lose momentum, according to data from energy and freight analytics firm Vortexa.
Around 2,00,000 barrels per day of diesel or gasoil have transited the Bab-el-Mandeb in August on vessels bound for Europe, with Indian refineries accounting for about 60 per cent of the volume.
Flows through the strategic shipping route had nearly stalled in March and April but recovered to levels close to those recorded a year earlier, Vortexa has added.
The development is strengthening India’s position as a major source of diesel for Europe’s eastern markets.
India is the world’s fourth-largest refiner with installed refining capacity of 258.1 million tonnes (mt) per year, exceeding domestic fuel demand.
During 2025-26, India had exported 61.5 mt of petroleum products, placing it among the world’s largest exporters of refined fuels.
The country’s refining capacity has allowed Indian products to increasingly reach markets in Europe and, in some cases, Russia.
However, the sustainability of these flows could face challenges as crude oil availability in India tightens.
Crude oil and condensate arrivals fell for a second consecutive month to around 3.8 million barrels per day in August compared with 4.8 million barrels per day during the same month last year, according to Vortexa data.
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