
HPCL Faces Challenges in Booking Tankers for Crude Shipments via Strait of Hormuz
What Happened?
Hindustan Petroleum Corp. is struggling to book tankers for crude shipments through the Strait of Hormuz due to vessel availability issues and last-minute cancellations. Despite increased oil flows from the Middle East, the company faces logistical challenges.
Key points
- HPCL Chairman Vikas Kaushal highlighted challenges in hiring ships for oil shipments.
- The company purchased about 240,000 barrels of Middle East oil daily in 2025.
- Oil flows from the Middle East have surged, nearing prewar levels.
- A scarcity of vessels has increased shipping costs significantly.
- HPCL has shifted to the spot market for oil purchases recently.
Key insights
- Increased oil flows from the Middle East may lead to heightened competition for shipping resources.
- HPCL's reliance on the spot market could affect its long-term supply contracts.
- The scarcity of vessels may continue to drive up shipping costs, impacting overall oil prices.
Why it matters
The challenges in tanker bookings could impact HPCL's oil supply chain and operational efficiency.
Entities
Source
Business Standard
