
MOSCOW, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Urals crude differentials to dated Brent were stable on Thursday in a quiet trading day as marketing slowed, because companies were not ready to strike deals amid uncertainty caused by recent U.S. sanctions, traders said.
Russian oil sellers slowed offers for Urals oil loading in March after a wind down period given by the U.S., traders said.
India and China actively look for alternative crude oil grades to fill in for absent Russian volumes.
PLATTS WINDOW
No bids or offers were shown for Urals, CPC Blend and Azeri BTC in the Platts window on Thursday.
NEWS
Freight rates for Russian ESPO Blend oil loading from the Far Eastern port of Kozmino have jumped fivefold amid a lack of vessels after fresh U.S. sanctions cut availability of tankers, three traders said and data showed.