Russian diesel tankers change course amid US import doubts

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 19:51 · Archive

Two tankers carrying Russian diesel bound for the US have changed course, raising questions about President Trump's plan to import Russian fuel.

President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin on 9 October to make more than 300,000 metric tons of Russian diesel available to US and global markets. However, the plan is facing significant setbacks after state and federal officials warned that handling any shipments could bring legal consequences.

Two tankers that departed from the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk last month originally declared their destinations as the US East Coast but have since changed course. One has headed to Brazil and another to the Mediterranean, according to marine data companies Kpler and MarineTraffic.com. A third vessel in the North Atlantic changed its destination from New York to 'for orders', leaving the unloading point undecided.

The arrangement comes after the US banned Russian energy imports following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a ban that angered some lawmakers and foreign allies. The Treasury Department temporarily authorised Russian diesel transactions that would ordinarily be subject to US sanctions. Despite this authorisation, no confirmed US delivery has materialised. Analysts have said the imports were unlikely to significantly lower US diesel prices, which have reached record highs during the US war with Iran.

Neither the White House nor the Kremlin have disclosed whether the agreement was put in writing or revealed the price, payment terms or participating companies.

How it is being reported

• Tankers carrying Russian diesel change course, raising doubts about shipments to USPresident Donald Trump's plan to import Russian diesel is facing setbacks.News4Jax · 5 Nov, 19:07
• Tankers carrying Russian diesel change course, raising doubts about shipments to USPresident Donald Trump's plan to import Russian diesel is facing setbacks.Clickorlando · 5 Nov, 19:07

In this story: Donald Trump · Vladimir Putin · United States · Russia · Primorsk · Treasury Department · New Jersey

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