The oil tanker Destan, which is carrying approximately 740,000 barrels of Russian oil for Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), has been waiting more than 10 days to berth at a port in western India due to a technical issue. The vessel arrived at Vadinar port around July 22-23 but has faced problems with its main engine, preventing it from docking.
Indian companies, including IOC, purchase Russian oil on a delivered basis, meaning their liability begins only after the cargo is discharged. The Destan is loaded with about 80,000 tons of ESPO blend crude and had set sail from Russia’s Kozmino port on June 30.
Sources indicate that the vessel’s master is seeking permission for a trial berthing, and it may discharge oil sometime this week. IOC has not commented on the situation.