The first crude oil tanker to reach Sri Lanka since the outbreak of the Middle East conflict docked on Thursday, April 17, delivering 97,500 metric tons of crude oil, Ceylon Petroleum Corporation Managing Director Mayura Neththikumarage confirmed.
Three more tankers this month
Neththikumarage said three additional fuel tankers are expected to arrive before the end of April. A separate American crude oil tanker is also slated for late May — the vessel is currently being refuelled and will take approximately 45 days to reach Colombo, reflecting CPC’s push to diversify supply beyond the Middle East corridor.
The arrival is a significant milestone after weeks of fuel rationing and supply disruption caused by the Strait of Hormuz crisis. Sri Lanka had been paying steep premiums — as high as $286 per barrel according to the HSBC Sri Lanka chief — to secure available cargoes during the conflict.
Supply pipeline strengthening
Thursday’s shipment adds to the 12 fuel deliveries CPC has scheduled for April–June and follows China’s agreement to supply a consignment and a 36,700MT petrol shipment from India.
However, global supply pressures persist. A refinery fire at Geelong in Australia has compounded regional product-market tightness, keeping refined-product premiums elevated even as crude prices stabilise in the post-ceasefire range.
The arrival comes as Sri Lanka resumes normal economic activity after the Avurudu holiday, with commercial and industrial demand set to rebound sharply.
