First loading since temporary waiver on Russia oil sanctions

Malta-flagged tanker set to arrive in New York on Nov. 7

Russia agreed to export 300,000 tons this month, over 500,000 next month

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. [AP]
US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. [AP]

Russian diesel has set sail for the United States for the first time following an export agreement reached between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

According to major international media citing data from the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), a Malta-flagged oil tanker loaded 40,000 tons of diesel at Russia's Primorsk port on Thursday (local time).

The tanker is expected to arrive in New York on Nov. 7. It is the first shipment since the US announced a temporary sanctions waiver allowing imports of Russian diesel.

On Oct. 9, Trump announced a temporary exemption from anti-Russia oil sanctions, permitting Russian diesel to be imported into the United States.

At the time, Trump said he had reached an agreement with Putin on Russian diesel exports, with Russia committing to ship 300,000 tons immediately and more than 500,000 tons the following month.

Russia has faced restrictions on petroleum product exports due to Western energy sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. After the EU's embargo on Russian petroleum products took effect, Russia shifted its main diesel export markets to countries including Brazil and Turkey.

The shipment is significant in that the US easing of energy sanctions against Russia has translated into actual trade. However, as the transaction stems from a temporary sanctions waiver, analysts say whether Russian diesel exports to the US will continue depends on future sanctions policy and whether both countries follow through on their agreement.


boo@heraldcorp.com