Eastern Maritime Corridor Gets Operationalised, Set To Boost India-Russia Trade And Cut Transit Time—Here's All About It

India’s emergence as the largest buyer of Russian oil in mid-2024 has been bolstered by the operationalisation of the Eastern Maritime Corridor, a new sea route connecting Chennai and Vladivostok.

This route has significantly enhanced commodity trade between the two nations, particularly crude oil shipments, by reducing both transit times and transportation costs.

The Chennai-Vladivostok route spans 5,600 nautical miles and has cut cargo transit times by up to 16 days. Compared to the traditional St Petersburg-Mumbai route, which covers 8,675 nautical miles and takes over 40 days, the new corridor enables shipments to reach Indian ports in just 24 days.

“With the operationalisation of the Eastern Maritime Corridor between Vladivostok and Chennai, ships carrying crude oil, metals etc. are now coming to Indian ports. This new route has significantly reduced the transit time between the two countries,” Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal told The Indian Express.

The faster route has already facilitated the trade of commodities like crude oil, coal, and LNG, with fertilizers and containerised cargo also being transported.

According to Shipping Ministry data, India’s top imports via this route in 2024 include crude oil, coal, fertilizers, vegetable oils, and project goods. Key exports to Russia comprise processed minerals, iron and steel, tea, marine products, and granite.

India, which imports over 85 per cent of its crude oil, surpassed China in July 2024 to become the largest buyer of Russian oil. Despite a slight decline in imports during refinery maintenance shutdowns, shipments of Russia’s flagship Urals crude reached a four-month high in October, accounting for over three-fourths of India’s Russian oil purchases.

India’s interest in Russian oil stems from discounts offered following the Ukraine war. While these discounts have narrowed, Indian refiners continue to benefit from cost savings, further enhanced by the reduced shipping expenses via the Eastern Maritime Corridor.

Beyond oil trade, India’s engagement with Russia has strategic significance, helping to balance Moscow’s relations with China and supporting India’s defense needs, including cooperation on nuclear-powered submarines.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to visit India in 2025, signaling continued collaboration between the two nations.