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.