ADNOC to increase crude storage in India to 30m barrels

The UAE’s energy giant ADNOC has officially announced plans to expand its crude oil storage capacity in India to 30 million barrels, marking a significant milestone in the UAE-India energy corridor. Through a strategic agreement with Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited (ISPRL), this expansion will likely increase the frequency of VLCC (Very Large Crude Carrier) arrivals at major Indian ports like Mangaluru and Visakhapatnam. This development signifies a robust increase in tanker traffic, creating new logistical demands for maritime energy supply chains.

This surge in crude oil imports necessitates strict adherence to MARPOL Annex I regulations regarding the prevention of pollution by oil during cargo operations. Vessel operators must ensure that ship-to-shore transfer protocols comply with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code and SOLAS Chapter II-1 requirements for machinery and electrical installations. Compliance departments must monitor the vetting processes for tankers entering Indian waters, ensuring that all vessels meet the latest classification society standards and regional port state control directives to mitigate environmental risks during high-volume discharge operations.

This infrastructure expansion directly impacts masters and navigating officers who will be tasked with managing increased tanker traffic and complex berthing schedules at Indian strategic terminals. These officers must remain vigilant regarding updated port entry requirements and regional safety protocols. Furthermore, navigating officers should prepare for more frequent cargo monitoring duties and enhanced communication with terminal operators to ensure seamless, compliant, and safe discharge operations as the volume of crude oil imports into India continues to rise.