WANA (Apr 11) – According to data from the ship-tracking firm Vortexa, China’s oil imports from Iran surpassed 1.8 million barrels per day (bpd) last month.

 

This surge in imports during March is attributed to concerns over potential disruptions to Iranian oil supply due to U.S. sanctions.

 

Vortexa reported that China’s imports of Iranian crude exceeded 1.8 million bpd in March, while oil stockpiles in Shandong province—China’s refining hub—also rose.

 

Figures from Kpler indicate that China imported 1.37 million bpd of Iranian oil in March, an 83% increase from 747,000 bpd in February, marking the highest level in five months. Two other trading firms monitoring Iranian oil flows to China estimated March imports at 1.67 and 1.8 million bpd, respectively.

 

China, a consistent opponent of unilateral U.S. sanctions, accounts for 90% of Iran’s oil exports. Much of this oil is purchased under the label of Malaysian crude in waters near Malaysia and Singapore.

 

Kpler also reported that Iranian crude accounted for 13% of China’s total oil imports in March. Vortexa analysts linked the rise in Chinese purchases to fears among traders and refineries of a potential disruption in Iranian supply.

 

Oil inventories in Shandong rose by 22 million barrels in March compared to the previous month, coinciding with the spike in Iranian oil imports.

 

Since Donald Trump initiated a “maximum pressure” campaign against Tehran in February, the U.S. has imposed four rounds of sanctions on Iranian oil trade—including measures targeting the independent refinery Shouguang Luqing Petrochemical in Shandong province.