Saifuddin Aboobacker

Indian authorities have granted approval for Nayara Energy, a refiner backed by Rosneft, to utilize four foreign-flagged vessels for transporting fuel products like petrol and diesel along the country's coast. The Directorate General of Shipping, India has given the green light for these vessels to facilitate the seamless supply of fuels from Nayara's Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, a facility responsible for approximately 8% of India's fuel consumption. Currently, two ships are operational, with a third vessel set to join soon, and the fourth expected to commence services shortly. This strategic decision aims to stabilize fuel supplies in preparation for the upcoming festival season, following disruptions in Nayara's shipping operations due to EU sanctions imposed in July. These sanctions led to concerns among shipowners about potential secondary sanctions and lack of insurance coverage from Europe-based P&I clubs, prompting a temporary halt in product lifting from Vadinar. Although domestic fuel transportation has been restored, Nayara continues to face challenges in its overseas trade operations due to banking restrictions. Banks have refrained from processing dollar-denominated transactions for Nayara's crude imports and fuel exports, compelling the company to solely source crude from Russia using vessels arranged by Russian suppliers since August. Efforts to establish a dollar-payment mechanism through UCO Bank faced obstacles when Mashreq Bank, Nayara's UAE partner, declined to process transactions linked to the company. As a result, Nayara's exports, which typically account for 25-30% of its production, remain at a standstill, leading to a reduction in refinery operations to align with decreased offtake. Unlike other refiners, the Vadinar refinery lacks direct connectivity to India's pipeline network, relying heavily on maritime transport to distribute products to key consumption areas in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a major customer of Nayara, heavily depends on sourcing fuel volumes from Vadinar to supplement its refining activities.

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A major step toward green maritime innovation—Cochin Shipyard has begun construction of a hybrid service operation vessel for a UK client, further strengthening India’s global shipbuilding footprint. To read more: https://lnkd.in/gjK2GJJd #CochinShipyard #Shipbuilding #MaritimeIndustry #HybridVessel #GreenShipping #SustainableMaritime #UKIndia #MaritimeGateway #ShippingInnovation Cochin Shipyard Limited Maritime UK

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⚓APM Terminals Pipavav - India named ONGC’s strategic offshore oil & gas logistics base under a 5-year contract. The dedicated base at Pipavav Port will boost efficiency, resilience & reliability for India’s offshore energy operations. 👉 Read more : https://lnkd.in/dXQUCizD Girish Aggarwal | Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd. [APMT Pipavav] | #Energy #Logistics #ONGC #APMTerminals #PipavavPort #OilAndGas #SupplyChain #EnergySecurity #India

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Landmark MoU: Green Energy Leap for VOC Port At India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority signed a pivotal MoU with Sembcorp Marine Ltd for a Green Ammonia and Hydrogen Project, potentially attracting an investment of ₹25,400 crores. The ceremony was graced by the Hon’ble Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, heralding a brighter, sustainable maritime future. Sarbananda Sonowal Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (India) India Maritime Week 2025 Susanta Kumar Purohit #VOCPortAPortOfTheFuture #VOCPortTuticorin #IndiaMaritimeWeek2025 #SustainablePorts #EfficientPorts #MaritimeIndia #PortOfTheFuture #BlueEconomy #SustainableFuture

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India’s energy supply chain is under stress as 28 Indian vessels carrying critical fuel cargo remain stranded in the Persian Gulf region amid escalating West Asia crisis, which has effectively halted ship transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Read more: https://trib.al/3rCKPCI

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AVG Logistics Limited has signed an MoU with Baidyanath LNG to expand LNG-powered transportation across key industrial sectors in India. The partnership will deploy LNG-fuelled truck fleets, leverage refuelling infrastructure, and develop tailored logistics solutions to support cleaner, freight movement. Read more: https://lnkd.in/guNfD5D7 The International Gas Industry Expo 2026 (#CIGIE2026) is approaching. 600+ exhibitors and 50,000+ professionals will gather to explore the future of the industrial gas market. 📅 April 15–17, 2026 📍 Wuxi, China ➡️ Register your interest: https://lnkd.in/gHVEzVjx #CIGIE2026 #APHC2026 #GasEcosphere #LNG

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Challenges and roadblocks which need to be cleared on priority basis to ensure there are not just commericial and naval ship building being done on large scale, but a big leap towards oil and gas sector too including FPSOs, FLNGs. India faces shipbuilding challenges including a dependency on imported materials, a lack of advanced technology and skilled workers, high logistics costs, a weak supply chain, and insufficient financing ecosystems. Despite recent government initiatives like the Maritime Development Fund and Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy 2.0, further steps in skill development, technology transfer, and cluster development are needed to overcome these hurdles and establish India as a global maritime hub.

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