India Sends First Jet Fuel Cargo to US West Coast

India has exported jet fuel to the United States’ West Coast for the first time, marking a notable milestone in the country’s refined petroleum trade. The shipment was dispatched to energy major Chevron following supply disruptions in California.

Historic Shipment from Jamnagar

Aviation turbine fuel amounting to 60,000 metric tons departed from Jamnagar port between 28 and 29 October. The cargo originated from Reliance Industries’ refinery complex, one of the world’s largest refining hubs. The tanker Hafnia Kallang, chartered by Castleton Commodities, is scheduled to reach Los Angeles in early December.

Chevron’s Refinery Outage Drives Import Need

The export opportunity arose after an operational incident at Chevron’s El Segundo refinery disrupted output at the 285,000-barrel-per-day facility. Repairs to the refinery’s jet fuel units are expected to continue into early 2026, tightening local supply and prompting reliance on imported volumes.

Market Dynamics and Regional Alternatives

Despite the milestone, regular exports from India to the US West Coast remain unlikely owing to more cost-effective supply routes from Northeast Asia. Freight rates from South Korea have been stable, supporting regional exporters. Jet fuel shipments from Northeast Asia to the US West Coast recently hit a five-month high, reflecting favourable price spreads.

Exam Oriented Facts

• India exported 60,000 metric tons of jet fuel to the US West Coast for the first time.
• The shipment originated from Reliance Industries’ Jamnagar refinery.
• Chevron’s El Segundo refinery outage created the demand for imports.
• US West Coast jet fuel inventories recently fell to a three-month low.

Fuel Prices and Supply Outlook

Jet fuel prices on the US West Coast have been trading above Singapore’s spot levels, making imports viable during the temporary disruption. With inventories tightening and refinery repairs ongoing, supply constraints are expected to persist, sustaining short-term demand for external cargoes.