Russia to Import 200,000 Barrels of Japanese Aviation Fuel via Ship-to-Ship Transfer
Russia is preparing to import a shipment of jet fuel originating from Japan as it grapples with a growing domestic fuel shortage following repeated Ukrainian strikes on its energy infrastructure, according to three sources familiar with the matter cited by Reuters on July 3. The shortage has been exacerbated by Ukraine’s sustained campaign targeting Russia’s oil refining sector.
The sources said at least 200,000 barrels of jet fuel are expected to be loaded in Chiba, Japan, during the first half of July. The cargo will initially be transported to South Korea, where several trading companies are reportedly involved in the transaction.
Ship-to-Ship Transfer to Take Place Off South Korean Coast
According to two of the sources, the fuel is expected to be transferred to another tanker—likely through a ship-to-ship operation off the South Korean port of Yeosu—before being shipped onward to Russia. The cargo’s final destination inside Russia has not been disclosed.
The need for imports comes after a sustained Ukrainian campaign targeting Russia‘s oil refining sector. Overall, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine has carried out at least 158 attacks on Russian refineries, with at least 24 of the country’s 33 largest facilities—each capable of processing more than one million metric tons of crude oil annually—coming under attack.
Previous Jet Fuel Imports into Russia
Reuters noted that the shipment would mark one of the few known imports of foreign jet fuel into Russia since the start of the full-scale war. According to Kpler ship-tracking data, the previous recorded delivery occurred in February 2022, when approximately 22,000 barrels of jet fuel were transported from Yeosu to the Russian Far East port of Vladivostok.
The development highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Russia‘s energy sector as a result of Ukraine’s military campaign. The country has been forced to rely on imports to meet its domestic demand for jet fuel, which is critical for its aviation industry.
Original Article: Russia to Import 200,000 Barrels of Japanese Aviation Fuel via Ship-to-Ship Transfer — United24Media