Tanker flying Malta's flag carrying 40,000 tons of Russian diesel is heading to New York after agreements between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. This was reported by Reuters on October 23 citing data from LSEG vessel tracking.
This means that previously announced direct shipments of Russian diesel to the American market have begun to move into practical implementation. At the same time, there is no information yet about the actual arrival and unloading of the vessel in the US.
Back on October 21, Putin, during a meeting with the special envoy of the American president Steve Witkoff in St. Petersburg, stated that Russia is preparing to send several tankers with diesel fuel.
According to the Russian president, the first vessel with a capacity of about 40,000 tons was to depart within two to three days, and the next ones to leave one after another. He also noted that to begin regular shipments, financial issues must be finally resolved.
On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak reported that the first tanker is planned to be dispatched on October 22, and the finalization of commercial contracts is in the concluding stage. Earlier, these plans were reported by "Kurs Ukrainy".
The agreement to resume supplies of Russian diesel was announced on October 9 after a phone call between Trump and Putin. The American president declared the intention to increase fuel supply on the world market to curb price growth.
On the same day, the US Treasury issued General License No. 135, which temporarily permits operations for the sale, transportation, unloading, and import of Russian diesel fuel. At the same time, this decision does not mean a complete lift of American sanctions against the Russian energy sector.
After the agreements, Moscow also began to loosen its own restrictions on diesel exports imposed due to fuel shortages on the domestic market. The problems were caused, in particular, by Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, which reduced available production capacities.
However, the impact of new supplies on the American fuel market may be insignificant. According to estimates by the Ukrainian president's commissioner for sanctions policy Vladyslav Vlasiuk, 40,000 tons of diesel is about 300,000 barrels, enough for less than two hours of consumption in the US.
At the same time, Moscow expects to gradually increase exports. According to the Russian side's estimate, by the end of 2026 deliveries of diesel fuel abroad could return to 3-3.5 million tons per month. However, the implementation of these plans will depend on the capabilities of Russian refineries, some of which continue to operate with limitations after Ukrainian attacks.
Based on: Reuters, S&P Global Energy, Vladyslav Vlasiuk
