Sanctioned Russian Tankers Head for US Carrying Diesel
Three tankers carrying Russian diesel are heading towards the United States under the controversial agreement between presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin, with Moscow preparing to dispatch a fourth vessel today. The development comes despite mounting opposition from US lawmakers who argue the deal breaches existing legislation prohibiting Russian energy imports.
Russian deputy prime minister Alexander Novak confirmed yesterday that three shipments were underway, carrying a combined 924,000 barrels of diesel. According to vessel tracking data from Kpler, the ships are Talisman, Leruo and Agioi Fanendes, with two of them subject to international sanctions.
Sanctions and Controversy
The Talisman is sanctioned by the US and European Union, while Leruo appears on British and EU sanctions lists. The Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes, managed by Greek interests, loaded approximately 40,000 tonnes of ultra-low sulphur diesel at Russia’s Baltic port of Primorsk on October 22.
The three ships departed Primorsk between October 16 and 22 and are expected to reach the US Atlantic coast between November 7 and 11, although their declared destinations remain subject to change. Novak said the shipments demonstrate that Moscow and Washington are implementing their agreement despite political opposition.
Legal Confrontation
However, the agreement has created a legal and political confrontation. A bipartisan group of US lawmakers has warned banks, ports and energy companies against handling the cargoes, arguing that the Treasury exemption cannot override legislation passed in 2022 banning imports of Russian petroleum products. European and British sanctions on Russian petroleum imports also remain in force, complicating the movements of sanctioned vessels through international waters.
The Trump administration issued a six-month sanctions exemption earlier this month, allowing transactions involving Russian-origin diesel until April 7 next year. The concession is intended to help alleviate soaring US fuel prices, which have been driven higher by the Iran conflict and disruptions to global refining and shipping.
Original Article: Sanctioned Russian tankers head for US carrying diesel — Splash247