Senator Blumenthal Demands Shipping Companies Recall Tankers Carrying Illegal Russian Diesel
Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has written to two shipping companies demanding that they recall their tankers carrying Russian diesel intended for illegal delivery to American ports. The senator is urging the companies to refrain from future transactions in Russian diesel in accordance with U.S. law.
The tankers in question are the Agioi Fanendes, owned by Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited (EASTMED), and the PVT Azura, owned by Vietnam National Industry & Energy Group (PetroVietnam). According to publicly available Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, both vessels have departed Russian ports carrying diesel with declared destinations in the United States.
The Agioi Fanendes has a declared destination of the Port of New York and New Jersey, with an expected arrival date of November 7. The vessel is carrying nearly 40,000 metric tons of diesel. Meanwhile, the PVT Azura has a declared destination of Norfolk, Virginia, with an expected arrival date of November 2. It is reportedly carrying nearly 109,000 barrels of diesel.
In his letters to the shipping companies, Senator Blumenthal emphasized that the Treasury Department’s General License No. 135 cannot supersede clear and unambiguous law. He noted that the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act was passed by Congress and signed into law in 2022, prohibiting the import of diesel produced by the Russian Federation.
Senator Blumenthal also sought information about whether these shipping companies had received any direction from the Treasury Department and what other entities are involved in the purchase and distribution of the illegal Russian diesel. He demanded that the tankers be recalled and that future transactions in Russian diesel be refrained from, citing U.S. law.
The senator’s letters to EASTMED and PetroVietnam can be found on his website.
Original Article: [2026-10-27] Blumenthal Demands Shipping Companies Recall Tankers… — Senate