Iran's oil industry disregards sanctions; Record-breaking exports to China

Pars Today – Published data shows that Iran’s oil exports to China have reached an unprecedented increase of more than 1.8 million barrels per day.

Data from traders and analysts indicates that China's oil imports from Iran rose in March 2025.

According to a report by Pars Today, citing Mizan news agency, this increase occurs amid concerns that further U.S. sanctions against Tehran may exacerbate supply issues.

Based on data from the ship-tracking company Vortexa, China's oil imports from Iran exceeded 1.8 million barrels per day in March, marking the highest figure ever recorded.

This coincides with a rise in inventory levels at independent refineries in China's Shandong province.

Meanwhile, data from analytics firm Kpler shows that Iran's oil exports to China were 1.71 million barrels per day in March, up 20% from 1.43 million barrels per day in February and the highest level in the past five months.

Two other trade sources tracking Iran's oil export flows estimated March imports at 1.67 million and 1.8 million barrels per day, respectively.

Kpler data revealed that Iranian oil accounted for 16% of China's total seaborne crude oil imports in March.

However, Li, a senior analyst at Vortexa and a refinery source based in China, attributed the rush to buy Iranian oil to fears among traders and refineries about further disruptions in supply.

According to Vortexa’s report, total onshore crude stockpiles in Shandong province increased by 22 million barrels in March compared to February, aligning with higher imports from Iran.

The inventory increase, which is a monthly record, has been concentrated at storage sites in Shandong’s ports.

MG