India cancelled a urea shipment aboard the bulk carrier Infinity after officials raised concerns about possible links to Iran, triggering compliance worries under US sanctions.
The shipment, part of a 2.5 million ton tender, was sold by Aditya Birla Global Trading (Singapore) Pte. The Infinity carried nearly 10% of the contracted volume. ABGT withdrew the cargo and offered a replacement, citing strict adherence to sanctions and regulatory frameworks.
Officials said the decision followed questions about the origins of cargoes offered in the tender. Another smaller firm also withdrew its shipment. The Infinity had made erratic movements between Oman and the Gulf of Oman from mid-April to early May, raising suspicions.
India maintains cordial ties with Tehran but avoids risks tied to unilateral sanctions. ABGT’s compliance officer, Shyam Zanwar, reiterated that the company never dealt with sanctioned entities or blacklisted origins.
The cancellation adds strain to India’s fertiliser imports as global prices surge due to the Middle East war. The agreed per-ton price in April was nearly double that of pre-war levels, setting a global benchmark.
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