New Delhi, India – A Western-sanctioned tanker carrying Russian crude oil for Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has faced delays in offloading at a port in eastern India, industry sources said, due to a hold-up in online verification of insurance cover provided by a Russian insurer.

The Aframax vessel Tiger 6, subject to EU and UK sanctions, was originally scheduled to discharge its cargo of ESPO-grade crude on November 23. As of Thursday, it remained near Paradip port in the Bay of Bengal while undergoing berthing procedures, according to LSEG shipping data.

Since April, India has required online verification of insurance for ships insured by companies outside the International Group (IG), a measure aimed at preventing forged documents and tightening controls on older or so-called shadow fleet vessels often used for transporting Russian oil. Many of these ships are insured by non-IG companies.

Sources said Soglasie Insurance Co Ltd, a Russian company, had provided coverage for the Tiger 6, with the cargo supplied by a non-sanctioned entity. However, Soglasie denied the claim, stating that the vessel was not insured under their P&I (Protection & Indemnity) program. Indian Oil did not immediately comment.

India currently recognizes P&I coverage from 19 non-IG insurers, including eight from Russia, enabling the country to continue purchasing discounted Russian crude despite Western sanctions.