State-owned Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) is seeking to import crude oil through a spot tender while, for the first time, instructing suppliers to avoid shipping routes through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.

The condition, outlined in a tender issued on Monday, reflects rising geopolitical tensions and supply risks in key global oil transit corridors.

Shipping activity in the Red Sea, particularly near Yemen, has been disrupted in recent days due to actions by Tehran-backed Houthi forces.

These developments are aimed at challenging Saudi exports and have further intensified the broader U.S.-Iran conflict, which has already constrained oil movement through the Strait of Hormuz.

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In its tender, MRPL explicitly stated that loading or transit of crude via the Red Sea route or the Strait of Hormuz should be avoided. The company is seeking up to 1 million barrels of crude for delivery between August 25 and September 6.

Industry observers note that MRPL’s move marks the first instance of an Indian refiner including such a restriction in a spot crude tender. The company had not awarded its previous tender, signaling a cautious procurement strategy amid uncertain market conditions.

According to a source familiar with the matter, MRPL has adopted a careful approach to mitigate potential disruptions across two of the world’s most critical maritime oil routes. The source added that the clause could remain in future tenders if geopolitical tensions in the Middle East persist.

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MRPL, a subsidiary of Oil and Natural Gas Corp, operates a refinery in Karnataka with a processing capacity of 300,000 barrels per day, making it a key player in India’s refining sector.

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This development highlights growing concerns among refiners about supply chain security, freight costs, and insurance risks as geopolitical instability continues to influence global energy markets and trade flows.