Govind Tekale
Maritime disruptions in the Persian Gulf are reshaping global energy flows, with India’s role as a refined fuel supplier gaining prominence. According to Reuters and maritime tracking data from Kpler, India has significantly increased liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) imports from the United States as traditional Gulf suppliers face constraints.
India imported approximately 0.89 million tonnes of LPG in July 2026 and 0.62 million tonnes in August. The United States supplied more than 73% of India’s seaborne LPG imports during this two-month period—a substantial shift from historical sourcing patterns. The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately 20% of globally traded maritime oil transits, continues to experience disruptions that have redirected import patterns worldwide.
Concurrently, India’s refined petroleum export capacity is addressing shortages in other regions. Reuters and LSEG data documented approximately 68,000 tonnes of finished gasoline loaded at Nayara Energy’s Vadinar refinery and shipped to Russia. The gasoline entered Russia’s domestic market, where refinery disruptions have constrained fuel production.
Ukrainian drone strikes have damaged multiple Russian refining complexes, including facilities in Salavat (struck on August 13) and Ryazan (hit earlier in the campaign). Over 28 of Russia’s 48 refineries have sustained damage throughout 2026, according to available reporting. These disruptions have reduced Russia’s capacity to process crude oil into finished fuels for domestic and regional consumption.
The convergence of Hormuz constraints, LPG import shifts, and Russian refinery damage illustrates how regional conflicts reshape energy supply chains. For Indian consumers, these realignments affect domestic energy pricing, which depends on global crude and refined product markets alongside domestic production and import policy decisions.
The Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas continues to monitor import flows and supply security. Maritime energy logistics remain fluid, with tanker rerouting adding costs and adjustments expected to persist as long as regional constraints continue.
