India has ceased diesel shipments to the European Union due to the EU’s ban on fuel refined from Russian crude, redirecting record volumes to West Africa, as per shipping data from Kpler and Vortexa. The ban has also impacted Turkey’s diesel exports to the EU, slowing them down in recent months. Analysts suggest that this shift in oil flows globally is a result of the EU’s policy to penalize Russia for its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The EU’s actions have compelled refiners to seek new markets, leading to a significant reordering of global oil trade. This restructuring is expected to result in more Indian diesel being sent to Africa, thereby freeing up additional Middle Eastern supply for Europe. In 2025, India was the EU’s third-largest diesel supplier, averaging about 137,000 barrels per day in exports, according to data from Kpler and Vortexa.
Russian crude accounted for 30% of India’s seaborne crude imports in 2025, while it made up 48% of Turkey’s seaborne crude imports last year, based on Kpler data. Turkey’s diesel exports to the EU have notably decreased, with January flows dropping to approximately 45,000 barrels per day from the monthly average of 87,000 barrels per day in 2025, as indicated by the data.
To comply with the EU regulations, refineries must either segregate Russian crude or demonstrate that they have not imported it within 60 days before a cargo’s bill of lading. Meanwhile, India’s diesel exports to West Africa are set to achieve a record high in December, reaching around 155,000 barrels per day, with January exports nearing 84,000 barrels per day.
In response to the ban, EU countries have increased their fuel imports from the US and Middle Eastern nations, reaching a three-month peak in January as they diversified their supply sources. Nifty oil and gas emerged as the top gainer among the Nifty indices, rising by 3.40% on Wednesday due to the surge in global oil prices. Brent crude futures are currently trading at levels between $66.50 and $67.50 per barrel, reminiscent of October figures.
