Russian diesel tankers dispatched to the United States following an agreement between President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin have failed to deliver their cargo, with vessels hovering off the coast or diverting to other nations as buyers shun the shipments over legal and political risks, nos.nl reported.
President Donald Trump announced last month that Russia would supply diesel to the United States in exchange for sanctions relief. Public shipping data shows that those vessels never reached American ports, nos.nl reported.
"Congress is watching." -@SenatorShaheen https://t.co/krXgo7SmoV pic.twitter.com/UJrMxldQSM
The tanker Agioi Fanendes set out from Primorsk on October 22 carrying roughly 300,000 barrels of diesel bound for New York, according to nos.nl. The vessel now drifts back and forth hundreds of kilometers off the U.S. coast, waiting for a buyer to emerge.
Why do potential buyers avoid Russian diesel?
Buyers in the United States fear the legal and political repercussions of accepting the fuel, international media reported. Although the specific cargo is temporarily exempt from American sanctions, international punitive measures could still target the tankers or their ports of origin.
“Congress is watching,” the Democratic chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee warned on X, nos.nl reported.
Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey warned local port authorities that accepting Russian diesel shipments could lead to legal penalties, Business AM reported.
Where did the diverted tankers sail?
At least three other tankers carrying Russian diesel changed course recently rather than docking in the United States, nos.nl reported. The Talisman is stationed off the coast of Alexandria, Egypt, nos.nl reported. The Beast remains near Mauritania, and the Leruo turned south toward Brazil, nos.nl reported.
Trade data indicates that Russia ramped up its overall diesel exports following the Trump-Putin deal, with shipments doubling according to the Financial Times cited by nos.nl. In October, Russia shipped 271,000 barrels of diesel daily, up from 135,000 barrels the previous month, with the growth concentrated in deliveries to Brazil and Turkey, nos.nl reported.
How did Ukrainian attacks impact the export surge?
The suspension of U.S. sanctions against the Russian oil sector sparked anger in Ukraine, nos.nl reported. Kyiv expressed profound disbelief when Trump pressured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to temporarily halt attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, granting Putin breathing room to repair damaged refineries and increase exports, according to nos.nl.
Richard Bronze of Energy Aspects described the export surge as the result of a short-lived “energy peace deal” that allowed refineries to operate more freely until October 30, when Ukraine resumed its air campaign, Business AM reported.
“The export increase was driven by a temporary pause,” Bronze said. Ukrainian forces bombarded at least five major Russian oil refineries, nos.nl reported.
Refining capacity in Russia has dropped by thirty percent since late October due to Ukrainian strikes, according to two anonymous industry sources cited by Reuters and reported by nos.nl. Sumit Ritolia of Kpler said that operations remain under severe pressure and will likely stay capped.
Did the deal lower fuel prices?
“This agreement was made to make diesel available to the global economy and to lower prices for Americans and the world, and that is exactly what happened,” a White House spokesperson told the Financial Times, as reported by nos.nl.
Economists emphasize that the diesel deal had little to no influence on falling pump prices in the U.S. and Europe, as the extra volume represents a fraction of the diesel consumed daily by the American transportation sector alone, nos.nl reported.
European diesel prices fell by 11 percent but remain 77 percent higher than before the war against Iran began, according to data published by the International Energy Agency and reported by nos.nl.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original destination of the Agioi Fanendes?
The tanker originally headed toward New York after departing from the Russian port city of Primorsk on October 22 with approximately 300,000 barrels of diesel, nos.nl reported.
How much did Russian diesel exports increase in October?
Russian diesel exports doubled from 135,000 barrels per day in September to 271,000 barrels per day in October, with major delivery increases directed to Brazil and Turkey, nos.nl reported.
How much has Russian refining capacity dropped?
Russian refining capacity decreased by thirty percent since late October as a direct consequence of Ukrainian drone and missile strikes against energy infrastructure, nos.nl reported.
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