Three industry sources confirmed that India's Shipping Ministry has given special permission to four vessels transporting Iranian oil to berth in the western port of Sikka.

Emails seeking comment from the Indian oil ministry, shipping minister and Reliance were not answered.

Iranian oil is frequently transported by so-called "shadow fleets" of vessels, which lack international insurance and safety certifications.

This is not possible as Indian law requires exemptions for the berthing and docking of ships.

According to one?of these sources, the shipping ministry granted a special exemption for a single time to vessels that were requested by Reliance. Reliance is the operator of the largest refining complex in the world. This was due to the emergency created by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

A second source confirmed that, in addition to the Comoros flagged aframax Kaviz, and Curacao flagged large?crude carriers (VLCCs) Lenore and Felicity, and Hedy of Iran, both VLCCs were granted permission.

The four vessels sanctioned by the United States are all older than 20 years.

India requires that tankers older than 20 years have a seaworthiness certificate from an International Association of Classification Societies member, or an entity authorized by India's maritime authority.

Another source stated that despite being granted permission, Reliance was still unsure if it would be processing Iranian oil. They wanted to make sure the transactions were in compliance with Indian laws and sanctions.

India, which is the third largest oil consumer and importer in the world, hasn't received a shipment from Tehran since May 2019, following U.S. pressure to not buy Iranian crude.

Last month, the U.S. temporarily lifted sanctions on the sale of Iranian oil at sea in order to lower?oil costs.

The waiver will expire on April 19, 2019.

Ship tracking data indicates that Indian Oil Corp., the country's largest refiner, purchased Iranian oil transported in the tanker Jaya. (Reporting and editing by David Holmes; Nidhi verma)

(source: Reuters)