Russian oil transport costs to India soar due to drone attacks, tanker shortages, and high global shipping demand, reaching record levels.
The drone attacks in the Black Sea, the congestion in tanker supply, and the increasing demand in global maritime transportation are keeping the costs of transporting Russian oil to India at record levels. The freight rate for Suezmax tankers has reached $30 million for a single voyage, while the transportation cost per barrel of oil has exceeded $30.
Freight prices for crude oil shipments from Russia's ports in the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea to India continue to remain at historic peaks as of the last days of October.
According to a Reuters report dated October 30, 2026, three sources from the shipping and oil trading sector reported that security risks in the Black Sea, tanker shortages, and high global shipping demand are driving up freight costs.
Due to Western sanctions, Russia has redirected a significant portion of its oil exports to India and China, forcing it to use longer and more costly maritime routes.
The cost of transporting Urals-type Russian crude oil to India, which was around $20 per barrel in September, rose to $30 and above by the end of October.
Freight for Suezmax tankers has risen to $30 million.
One of the routes where the increase in freight rates has been most pronounced is the oil transportation between the Black Sea and India.
The one-way freight cost for Suezmax tankers carrying approximately 140,000 tons of crude oil from the Black Sea to India increased from $19 million in September to $30 million.
A similar picture emerged in the transportation from Baltic Sea ports to the western coasts of India.
The one-way freight cost for Aframax tankers carrying about 100,000 tons of crude oil ranged from $13 million to $16 million in September, remaining at around $23 million by the end of October.
Freight connections for Suezmax tankers on the same route were reported to be around $27 million.
Current status of tanker freight.
Attacks in the Black Sea are affecting oil exports.
Drone attacks targeting commercial vessels and energy infrastructure in the Black Sea are among the main factors increasing uncertainty in oil transportation.
According to industry sources speaking to Reuters, the ongoing attacks and security risks due to the war since the summer have caused significant delays in oil loading.
This situation has led to longer voyage times for ships and a decrease in the number of available tankers in the market.
The congestion in tanker supply is particularly causing freight rates for vessels carrying Russian oil to remain at high levels.
Black Sea-Mediterranean route at Worldscale 952.
According to data from international ship brokerage company Riverlake, the freight index for tankers transporting approximately 140,000 tons of crude oil from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean was at Worldscale 952 in October.
This rate is just slightly below the approximately WS1000 level observed at the beginning of the month.
Worldscale is the international reference system used to determine freight rates in tanker shipping. The WS952 level corresponds to 9.52 times the standard reference freight for the relevant route.
High freight levels are particularly enhancing the bargaining power of shipowners in oil transportation originating from the Black Sea.
Shipowners are not inclined to offer freight discounts.
Sources in oil trading speaking to Reuters indicated that oil sellers are requesting lower freight offers to reduce transportation costs, but shipowners are not inclined to offer discounts under the current market conditions.
According to industry representatives, the limited tanker supply and strong demand in global oil transportation allow shipowners to maintain high freight demands.
It is also assessed that the upcoming winter season could complicate maritime conditions in the Black Sea and lead to new delays in tanker operations.
Profitability pressure in Russian oil exports.
The rise in freight costs directly affects the revenues of Russian oil exporters.
Due to Western sanctions, Russian oil companies targeting long-distance Asian markets are unable to benefit from the rise in international oil prices to the extent they expected, due to increasing transportation costs.
In particular, the rising freight expenses for Urals oil shipments to India are narrowing the profit margins for sellers.
It is noted that if the tanker supply remains tight in the maritime market and security risks in the Black Sea persist, freight rates could maintain their high levels.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
