Indian refiners supplied around 60 per cent of Europe-bound diesel shipments through Bab-el-Mandeb in August…reports Asian Lite News Desk
India is emerging as a key supplier of diesel to Europe, filling a widening gap left by constrained Russian exports and weakening shipments from the US, according to energy intelligence firm Vortexa.
Indian refiners accounted for around 60 per cent of diesel and gasoil volumes transiting the strategically important Bab-el-Mandeb Strait towards Europe in August, underlining the country’s growing role in the region’s energy supply chain.
Around 200,000 barrels per day of diesel transited the waterway on Europe-bound vessels during August, close to year-ago levels after traffic through the route had nearly stalled in March and April.
India’s growing importance stems from its vast refining capacity and ability to export surplus fuel. As the world’s fourth-largest refiner, India has an installed refining capacity of 258.1 million tonnes per annum, significantly exceeding domestic demand.
The country exported 61.5 million tonnes of petroleum products in 2025-26, cementing its position among the world’s leading exporters of refined fuels.
However, questions remain over whether India can sustain its expanding role as crude supplies into the country begin to tighten.
Crude and condensate shipments to India fell for a second consecutive month in August to around 3.8 million barrels per day, compared with 4.8 million barrels per day a year earlier, Vortexa data showed.
The pressure on Europe’s diesel market has intensified as Russian supplies remain sharply reduced. Russia’s seaborne diesel and gasoil exports averaged around 150,000 barrels per day during the first 25 days of August — down by approximately 610,000 barrels per day from a year earlier and 81 per cent below the five-year seasonal average.
Although Russia eased some diesel export restrictions from September 1, a rapid recovery in supplies appears unlikely.
Ukrainian drone strikes have continued to disrupt Russian refineries and export infrastructure, with Vortexa recording 32 attacks on refineries during July and August.
The shifting trade flows are increasingly placing Indian refiners at the centre of Europe’s eastern diesel supply, as sanctions, refinery disruptions and changing shipping routes redraw the global fuel map.
