Three tankers carrying Russian diesel are heading towards the United States, according to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak and vessel-tracking data cited by Kpler.
The shipments come under an agreement between the administrations of US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, but have prompted legal and political opposition in Washington over restrictions on Russian energy imports.
The vessels named as carrying the cargoes are Talisman, Leruo and Agioi Fanendes. Together, they are reported to be transporting 924,000 barrels of diesel. Moscow was also preparing to dispatch a fourth tanker, Novak said.
Operational context
Two of the three vessels are subject to international sanctions. Talisman is sanctioned by both the United States and the European Union, while Leruo is listed under UK and EU sanctions. Agioi Fanendes is Malta-flagged and managed by Greek interests.
Agioi Fanendes loaded about 40,000 tonnes of ultra-low sulphur diesel at Primorsk, Russia’s Baltic port, on October 22. The three tankers departed Primorsk between October 16 and 22 and were expected to arrive on the US Atlantic coast between November 7 and 11, although their declared destinations could change.
The shipments follow a six-month exemption issued by the Trump administration earlier in October. The measure permits transactions involving Russian-origin diesel until April 7 next year. The exemption was intended to help address higher US fuel prices linked in the source to the Iran conflict and disruption to global refining and shipping activity.
However, the arrangement faces opposition from a bipartisan group of US lawmakers. They have warned banks, ports and energy companies against handling the cargoes, arguing that a Treasury exemption cannot supersede legislation adopted in 2022 that banned imports of Russian petroleum products.
Novak said the movements showed that Moscow and Washington were implementing their agreement despite the political resistance. Yet the cargoes also raise questions over the practical handling of sanctioned tonnage and Russian-origin petroleum products across the supply chain.
European and UK sanctions on Russian petroleum imports remain in force, adding further compliance considerations for the movements of vessels associated with the shipments through international waters.