More than a dozen tankers loaded with Urals crude sit idle off Oman’s coast, while additional vessels linger near China as Russian oil shipments stall. The bottleneck follows a wave of Western sanctions that have choked traditional European buyers, prompting Russia to reroute product toward Asian markets. With limited storage at destination ports and tighter inspection regimes, ship owners struggle to find timely discharge slots, leaving vessels anchored for weeks.

Traders warn that prolonged delays could depress spot prices for the medium‑sweet grade and pressure refiners who depend on steady supplies for gasoline blends. Analysts expect Russian exporters to negotiate new terms with Chinese refiners or seek alternative hubs such as Singapore, but capacity constraints may keep the backlog growing. Meanwhile, insurers and charterers monitor the situation closely, as extended lay‑ups raise operational costs and expose participants to regulatory scrutiny.

Global benchmarks have already slipped a few cents per barrel, reflecting market anxiety over supply tightness in the near term.