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Flag with the logo of the Russian shipping company Sovcomflot (archive image)
Photo: STRINGER / REUTERS
India is helping Russia to keep selling oil despite Western sanctions.
India is providing safety certification for dozens of tankers operated by a Dubai-based subsidiary of Russia's leading shipping group Sovcomflot, officials said.
Western certifiers had suspended their services due to sanctions against Moscow.
The removal of certifications and also insurance for Russian ships was seen as an effective way to dry up one of Russia's main sources of income.
The US has already halted its oil imports from Russia, and the EU intends to exit by the end of the year.
In contrast, both India and China have significantly increased their oil imports from Russia since the attack on Ukraine.
The certification by the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), one of the world's leading classification companies, is important in addition to insurance cover in order to continue operating the tanker fleet of the state-owned Sovcomflot.
Data from the IRClass website shows that the company has certified more than 80 vessels managed by SCF Management Services Ltd.
The Dubai-based company is listed as a subsidiary of Sovcomflot.
Classification societies certify the safety and seaworthiness of ships, which is essential for obtaining insurance and access to ports.
dab/Reuters