India’s Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd. (MRPL) has declared force majeure on all upcoming gasoline export cargoes as escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupt crude oil flows from the Gulf region, according to trade sources.
The state-run refiner, which operates a 300,000-barrel-per-day facility in Karnataka, exports nearly 40% of its refined fuel output. The declaration follows severe shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic waterway between Iran and Oman that handles roughly one-fifth of global oil consumption.
Sources said MRPL had already awarded two to three gasoline cargoes for early March loading through tenders and is currently in discussions with buyers to resolve those commitments. A company source confirmed the force majeure decision, while MRPL did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Shipping traffic through the Strait has virtually halted following Iranian attacks on commercial vessels, triggered by recent U.S. and Israeli strikes that have unsettled regional energy trade flows. The disruption has heightened concerns across global oil and product markets, particularly for Asian refiners dependent on Middle Eastern crude.
Indian refiners collectively source around 40% of their crude requirements from the Middle East, supplementing supplies through spot market purchases and domestic production. In response to the latest volatility, government sources indicated that India is exploring alternative import options for crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Earlier this year, MRPL had also indicated it was evaluating Venezuelan crude purchases after suspending Russian oil imports to remain compliant with Western sanctions.
Officials stated that India currently maintains crude inventories sufficient to meet demand for approximately 25 days. Refiners additionally hold around 25 days of stock for key petroleum products, including gasoil, gasoline, and LPG, providing a buffer against immediate supply shocks.
The force majeure declaration underscores the vulnerability of energy supply chains to geopolitical tensions in the Gulf and signals potential tightening in regional gasoline export availability in the near term.
