Indian Refinery Blocks Crude Shipping Through Horn of Africa and Strait of Hormuz

India's Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL) has become the first Indian refinery to bar crude suppliers from using either the Strait of Hormuz or the Red Sea, according to a spot tender issued on August 25.

The tender seeks up to 1 million barrels of crude for delivery between August 25 and September 6, with a specific condition that crude loading or transit through either the Red Sea or the Strait of Hormuz should be avoided. This is the first time an Indian refiner has included such a restriction in a spot crude import tender.

The decision comes after disruptions across Middle East oil shipping corridors. Houthi forces have targeted vessels operating in the Red Sea, while tanker movements through Hormuz remain below normal despite the suspension of U.S. and Iranian strikes.