Asia Oil Imports From Iran Rise in March

EghtesadOnline: Asia's crude oil imports from Iran rose to the highest in eight months in March as buyers rushed for more cargoes to take advantage of waivers to the sanctions the United States imposed, data from government and trade sources showed.

News ID: ۷۴۷۲۰۵

01 May 2019

Asia's top oil importers China, India, Japan and South Korea imported a total 1.57 million barrels per day of crude from Iran in March, up 36% from the previous month to the highest since July, the data showed, Reuters reported.

The total import volume for first quarter is 31% lower than the same period a year ago, according to the data, according to Financial Tribune.

Iranian oil exports will reach Japan, South Korea, India and China in April but only China has Iranian oil arriving in early May, data on Refinitiv Eikon showed.

The US granted eight buyers of Iranian crude waivers to the crude import sanctions that went into full effect in November. However, last week Washington said it would revoke the waivers as of May 1.

US officials claim there are sufficient supplies to replace Iran's oil with producers Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates ready to meet additional demand.

Asian refiners are expected to reach out to producers from OPEC for more supplies while South Korea is set to once again scan the world for alternatives, but more expensive, condensate supplies and snap up heavy naphtha oil products.