By Nidhi Verma, Gleb Stolyarov and Jonathan Saul
       NEW DELHI/MOSCOW/ LONDON, April 26 (Reuters) - A ship
controlled by U.S.-sanctioned Russian shipping giant Sovcomflot
(SCF) discharged fuel oil at a western Indian port on Friday,
two sources familiar with the matter said, indicating a
resumption in the use of SCF vessels to supply Moscow's key
market after a brief halt.
    The SCF Baltica, carrying 90,000 metric tons of fuel oil for
Reliance Industries, operator of the world's biggest
refining complex at Jamnagar in Gujarat state, was expected to
leave the port later on Friday after full discharge, the sources
said.   
    Indian refiners including Reliance became wary of receiving
cargoes on Sovcomflot vessels after the U.S. imposed
sanctions on the Russian shipping giant on Feb. 23 and
designated 14 crude oil tankers as property in which Sovcomflot
had an interest in the wake of the Ukraine war.
    However, during a visit to India earlier this month, U.S.
officials noted the sanctions on the 14 designated SCF vessels
but also said Washington wants stable global oil supplies and
has not asked India to cut Russian oil imports, remarks that
sources at Indian refiners said helped to assuage concerns.
    The SCF Baltica is not among the 14 ships that were slapped
with sanctions in recent months by Washington.
    SCF did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
        Reliance also did not respond to a request for comment.
    Gabon-flagged SCF Baltica was listed on SCF's website as
part of its fleet of oil tankers.
        The vessel is managed by the United Arab Emirates-based
Stream Ship Management and its owner was listed as Ashbourne
Navigation care of Stream Ship Management, shipping databases
show. Stream Ship could not be located for comment. 
  
    Another tanker, Vladimir Tikhonov, which is expected to
arrive next week carrying Russian oil, is also managed by Stream
Ship Management and listed on SCF’s website as part of its
fleet, data showed.  
    India is the largest consumer of Russian seaborne oil, sold
at a discount after Western nations shunned purchases from
Moscow for its invasion of Ukraine.
    Reliance mainly buys Russian crude but also imports fuel oil
for processing at its coker to produce refined fuels.
        More Indian refiners are scheduled to receive Russian
oil cargoes loaded on SCF vessels, according to LSEG flows
    
      .
  
    Earlier this month, Sovcomflot's CEO said that U.S.
sanctions are limiting the company's tanker activity.
    To squeeze Russia's oil revenue, the Group of Seven (G7)
large economies and their allies have imposed a $60 per barrel
price cap for Russian oil if Western services such as shipping
and insurance are used.
    And to protect its freight and insurance premium outgo to
Western nations, Russia wants to supply its oil, mostly sold by
traders, using its own vessels and insurance cover.
    Russian insurer Ingosstrakh has provided cover
for SCF Baltica, freight documents showed.
    Resumption of trade in SCF vessels will help Russia protect
its freight earnings.
    Below is the list of SCF vessels expected to arrive in India
in April and May, according to LSEG data.
    
 Vessel      Load Port     Discharge  Arriva  Prod.  Grade  Volume
                           Port       l Date                (KT)
 SCF         Ust-Luga      Jamnagar   24-Apr  Fuel   Fuel       99
 Baltica                   (Sikka)            Oil    Oil    
 Vladimir    Novorossiysk  Paradip    29-Apr  Crude  Urals     130
 Tikhonov                                     Oil           
 Suvorovsky  Primorsk      Jamnagar    1-May  Crude  Urals   99.84
 Prospect                  (Sikka)            Oil           
 NS Bora     Novorossiysk  Paradip     2-May  Crude  Urals     130
                                              Oil           
 NS          Primorsk      Vadinar     8-May  Crude  Urals     100
 Commander                                    Oil           
 Moskovsky   Primorsk      Mundra     17-May  Crude  Urals     105
 Prospect                                     Oil           
 NS Concord  Ust-Luga      Jamnagar   26-May  Crude  Urals     100
                           (Sikka)            Oil           
 
   

 (Reporting by Nidhi Verma; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)