A US-sanctioned vessel carrying Iranian crude oil has shifted course to China from its previously signalled destination of India, where it would have been the first such shipment in nearly seven years.
The Ping Shun, an Aframax built in 2002 and sanctioned by the US in 2025, is currently signaling Dongying in China, according to Kpler, a ship-tracking firm. Earlier this week the ship had indicated it would arrive at Vadinar, Gujarat, but it has since taken a sharp turn to the south. Such destination signals are not final and may change at any time.
India hasn’t purchased Iranian crude since May 2019, when it stopped importing barrels from the country due to US sanctions. President Donald Trump has temporarily waived penalties for Iranian cargoes already at sea, but issues around payment, shipping and insurance have complicated potential transactions.
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Published on April 3, 2026