Bunkering operations at Indian ports saw a substantial increase from January to July this year, with the total number of bunkering and ship-to-ship (STS) calls rising by 64% compared to the same period in 2023. The number of these calls climbed to more than 6,765, a significant jump from the 4,113 recorded last year. Mumbai, a key hub for bunkering in India, contributed to this growth with a 3% rise in its bunkering activities. Several factors contributed to this surge. Heightened attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have prompted many ship-owners to reroute their vessels around Africa, leading to longer voyages and increased fuel needs. This shift has resulted in a spike in demand for bunkering services at Indian ports, which usually experience a seasonal dip in demand during the monsoon due to adverse weather conditions. However, the geopolitical disruptions have driven a higher-than-usual demand for bunkers in the region, offsetting the typical seasonal slowdown and fuelling the overall growth in bunkering operations at Indian ports.