New Delhi, Sep 2026 : India is emerging as an increasingly important supplier of diesel to Europe as Russian exports remain sharply constrained and shipments from the United States show signs of weakening, according to energy intelligence firm Vortexa.
Vortexa data showed that Indian refiners accounted for nearly 60 per cent of the diesel and gasoil volumes that travelled through the strategically important Bab-el-Mandeb route towards Europe in August. Around 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) of diesel transited the waterway during the month on vessels bound for European destinations. The volume was broadly in line with levels recorded a year earlier, after flows through the route had nearly come to a standstill in March and April.
The figures underline the growing importance of Indian refineries in meeting Europe’s diesel requirements, particularly as traditional supply sources face disruptions. India’s substantial refining infrastructure gives it the capacity to produce significant volumes of refined petroleum products beyond domestic consumption.
India is currently the world’s fourth-largest refining nation, with installed refining capacity of around 258.1 million tonnes per annum. This capacity, which exceeds domestic fuel demand, has allowed Indian refiners to maintain a strong presence in international petroleum markets.
During 2025-26, India exported approximately 61.5 million tonnes of petroleum products, placing it among the world’s major exporters of refined fuels. Indian petroleum products are increasingly reaching European markets, while some supplies have also moved towards Russia as sanctions, refinery disruptions and shifting global trade patterns continue to reshape international fuel flows.
However, the ability of Indian refiners to sustain their growing role in Europe’s diesel market could face challenges if crude supplies remain under pressure. Vortexa data indicated that crude and condensate shipments into India declined for the second consecutive month in August, falling to around 3.8 million bpd from approximately 4.8 million bpd during the same period last year.
Europe’s diesel market is facing additional pressure because Russian supplies, which historically represented a major source of refined fuel for the region, have remained significantly below normal levels. Russian seaborne diesel and gasoil exports averaged only about 150,000 bpd during the first 25 days of August, according to Vortexa.
That figure was roughly 610,000 bpd lower than the corresponding period a year earlier and about 81 per cent below the five-year seasonal average, highlighting the scale of the disruption.
Although Russia eased or partially lifted restrictions on diesel exports from September 1, a rapid recovery in shipments may remain difficult. Continued Ukrainian drone attacks have disrupted Russian refineries and export infrastructure, with Vortexa recording 32 attacks on refineries during July and August.
Against this backdrop, India’s refining sector is becoming an increasingly significant component of Europe’s diesel supply chain, even as questions remain over crude availability and the sustainability of export volumes in the months ahead.
