China is Shaking Up the Global Oil Game- Again?
By Newztoday Team
Is China shaking up the global oil game – Again? This is a question about what the oil industry might be looking into following the recent highest oil imports since August 2023.
China imported 12.1 million barrels of crude oil per day (bpd) in March 2025, the highest monthly figure since August 2023. However, there have been some key factors behind this spike which including sanctions, shadow fleets, and a global oil market learning to bend (but not break).
This matter is not just for China, but for oil prices, geopolitics, and the future of global trade.
What Just Happened for the Imports Spike?
China’s General Administration of Customs has reported 51.41 million metric tons of crude imports in March 2025, which are equivalent to 12.1 million barrels per day. These imports are also higher than 11.55 million bpd in March 2024 since August 2023.
So, what’s the driving force behind this sudden surge?
Sanctions, Workarounds, and Cheaper Crude?
The U.S. had tightened sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil earlier this year to disrupt funding to those governments. That had resulted in hitting global oil flows.
Here’s a reason.
1. The Rise of Non-Sanctioned Tankers
A new fleet of about a dozen non-sanctioned oil tankers had been flowing oil from Russia and Iran and then straight to China.
These ships had carried oil to India previously, but they found a new customer in China.
2. Iranian Oil Floods
The month of March has witnessed a record 1.8 million bpd of Iranian oil that reached China. Out of it, over 1.5 million bpd reached Shandong province, which is the home of China’s independent refiners. These refiners have operated on discounted crude and Iranian oil under sanctions.
3. Russian Arctic Oil Makes a Comeback
Russian oil cargoes that were previously stranded in the Arctic were also reaching China through ship-to-ship (STS) transfers. This network,k as the “dark fleet,” ensures a shadowy collection of vessels operating outside conventional maritime oversight.
4. Seaborne Crude Rebounds
China’s seaborne crude oil imports, delivered by tanker ships, had also jumped to 10.6 million bpd in March. This was the highest one since October 2023. Iran had also contributed to this.
Why This Shift Matters Globally?
China is not just hoarding more oil. It also signalled a few major trends.
Sanctions have not resulted in stopping the flow of oil, but they have resulted in just rerouting the oil from Russia and Iran to China.
The US had imposed sanctions to squeeze Iran and Russia by cutting off customers. But China, the world’s biggest crude buyer, has come forward to import crude oil in bulk to hoard more oil. This shows that oil always finds a buyer, and global markets are learning to adapt faster than ever.
2. China Is Stockpiling – And It’s Strategic
Amid oil prices fluctuating and sanctions, China may build up its reserves of cheap oil to help buffer its economy and strengthen its bargaining power in future negotiations with suppliers.
3. Discounted Oil Means Lower Refining Costs
For Chinese refiners, cheaper Iranian and Russian oil have kept the margins high due to discounted prices. It also helps China to keep domestic inflation low and export products like diesel and gasoline to nearby markets.
What About the Rest of the World?
As China pulls in discounted oil, it may outcompete other nations like India for the same barrels. India may lose access to some of these favored Russian supplies. Meanwhile, Western sanctions may have less bite and therefore, Russia and Iran continue to transport oil through backchannels. After Oil, China to Shake Up LNG Market in 2025?
Key Takeaways for Energy Watchers
As an investor, energy analyst, or just you is globally curious, here’s a key takeaway for you to watch:
| 🔎 Trend | 🌍 What It Means |
| 📈 Record Chinese imports | Strong refining demand, economic recovery signals |
| 💰 Discounted Russian/Iranian crude | Pressure on global oil prices |
| 🛰️ Shadow fleet activity | Lower transparency, higher risk |
| ⚖️ Sanction resilience | Policy impact is fading without global enforcement |
Final Thought: China Is Playing the Long Game
China’s March oil surge is not only helping to keep the lights on. It is also resulting in boosting oil reserves for China. Sanctions on Iran and Russia have helped China to shake up the energy market again.