A tanker carrying the first Russian diesel shipped under a surprise agreement between Moscow and U.S. President Donald Trump is crossing towards the North Atlantic. However, it remains uncertain whether the fuel will end up in the U.S.
According to Reuters, ship-tracking data on Friday showed the vessel heading for New York. The company that manages the tanker later said no destination had been settled.
If the cargo does reach the U.S., it will be the first Russian diesel imported into the country since former President Joe Biden banned imports of Russian oil and petroleum products in 2022.
The Agioi Fanendes, a medium-sized, Malta-flagged tanker, took on 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low sulphur diesel at Russia’s Baltic port of Primorsk on 22 October, according to LSEG shipping data. The data showed the vessel was due to arrive in the U.S. on 7 November.
It was not immediately known who bought or sold the cargo.
After the ship-tracking data was published, the tanker’s manager, Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Limited (EASTMED), said the vessel was sailing towards the North Atlantic while awaiting orders. It said New York had not been confirmed as its destination.
“The discharging port or country is not yet nominated and finalised,” an EASTMED official told Reuters.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on Friday that the first ship under the agreement had left port. He did not say whether it was bound for the U.S. or another market.
“As far as I’m aware, there have already been reports from the Ministry of Energy that the first tanker has, in fact, set sail for its recipients, its buyers. Further shipments will continue at a steady pace from here on,” Peskov told reporters on his daily conference call.
Trump announced the agreement this month as part of efforts to bring down soaring diesel prices before the U.S. midterm elections on 3 November.
On 9 October, he said Russia would immediately export 300,000 metric tons of diesel, or 2.25 million barrels, to the U.S. and global markets. That would be followed by 500,000 tons in November and 1 million tons “immediately thereafter”.
Under the deal, Russia lifted its own ban on diesel exports.
Trump also waived parts of a new U.S. sanctions law targeting Russia. He threatened Europe with a ban on U.S. diesel exports unless countries released more fuel from their emergency reserves to help ease prices.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has said more shipments to the U.S. would follow once companies in both countries finalise the necessary contracts.
Kirill Dmitriev, President Vladimir Putin’s envoy and head of Russia’s sovereign wealth fund, said last week that the U.S. Treasury had asked the fund to help resolve difficult payment issues linked to the agreement. A source familiar with the matter said that account was not accurate.
Since the European Union imposed a full embargo on Russian oil products in February 2023 over the war in Ukraine, Russia has shipped diesel mainly to Türkiye, Brazil and African countries. It also supplies Central Asia by rail.
LSEG and Kpler shipping data published this week showed Russian diesel cargoes resuming voyages to those traditional destinations after Moscow lifted its ban. At least two tankers signalled they were heading to Türkiye and Brazil.
The destinations of other tankers were unclear. LSEG data showed cargoes loaded at Primorsk signalling Gibraltar, the Atlantic Coast or Port Said.
Novak has said Russia will be able to raise diesel exports back to their usual level of 3 million to 3.5 million tons a month by the end of the year.
The Agioi Fanendes is expected to receive orders on its final port while at sea. Whether its cargo is delivered to the U.S. before or after the 7 November date in the shipping data will determine if the first delivery under Trump’s deal lands, as announced, on American shores.
A tanker carrying the first Russian diesel shipped under a surprise agreement between Moscow and U.S. President...
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has rejected a maritime boundaries agreement between Türkiye and ...
Former Salvadoran president Elias Antonio “Tony” Saca was released from prison on Thursday after co...
Despite losing his bloc's majority in Israel's 120-seat Knesset in a hotly contested election, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has managed to remain in the lead after 70 per cent of votes were tallied on Wednesday. Figures are subject to change as counting continues.
The Middle East conflict remains tense as diplomatic efforts continue alongside renewed Houthi attacks. Iran says it remains open to mediation, while the Saudi-led coalition says it intercepted a ballistic missile fired towards the kingdom.
Rescuers searched the wreckage of two high-speed trains in central Spain on Thursday as the death toll rose to a provisional 74, making it the country's second fatal high-speed rail disaster this year.
Strengthened U.S.-Central Asia ties reflect a broader trend in international relations, with growing emphasis on developing alternative transit routes and diversifying energy and critical mineral supply networks to gain geopolitical influence.
At least 68 people have been killed after two high-speed trains collided in Spain on Wednesday, in the second deadly rail disaster in less than a year on a major route linking Madrid with the southern Andalusia region.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has rejected a maritime boundaries agreement between Türkiye and Libya’s eastern parliament as “blatantly illegal, null and void”.
Former Salvadoran president Elias Antonio “Tony” Saca was released from prison on Thursday after completing a reduced sentence for corruption, marking the end of one of the most high-profile political corruption cases in the country's history.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia remains willing to rebuild relations with European countries but warned that any wider conflict on the continent would leave no winners, as he commented on recent diplomatic contacts with Nordic leaders and growing security concerns in the Baltic region.
At least four people were killed and 12 others injured when an Italian military helicopter serving with the European Union's peacekeeping mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina crashed near the town of Brcko on Thursday, according to Italian media reports.
European Central Bank (ECB) President Christine Lagarde said on Thursday she would step down eight months early, seeking greater freedom to speak out on global issues beyond monetary policy.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment