The Military Sealift Command's USNS John Lewis, the first of a new class of fleet oilers built in San Diego, is now ready for deployment after completing its first refueling operation.

Indian port authorities denied entry to an ageing tanker loaded with Russian crude on Thursday due to inadequate documentation, sources familiar with the matter said, an unusual move that indicates tightened scrutiny of vessels carrying Russian oil.

In recent years, the cost of producing critically needed Lewis-class fuel ships has soared to an average of $860 million each — $302 million higher than it was five years ago, says a new report by the Congressional Research Service, a nonprofit agency that advises Congress.

Close to a dozen US-sanctioned tankers are idling off Malaysia with Iranian crude, with some having been stationed in the oil-transfer hub for more than a month — possible sign of slowing logistics for the sensitive trade to China.

U.S. Sen. John Cornyn visited the port to discuss the Corpus Christi Ship Channel Improvement Project, which could be finished in four to six weeks.

India denies entry to ageing tanker carrying Russian crude due to inadequate documentation, reflecting tightened scrutiny of vessels.

Crowley, which manages the Stena Immaculate, said salvage and recovery operations are moving into the next phase for the tanker.