Intelligence: Transshipment through the port of Indonesia allows Russia to circumvent sanctions

In 2025, the largest transshipment point for Russian oil was the Indonesian port of Karimun.

This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

“At the same time, the operation of the terminal is not controlled by the Indonesian authorities – the terminal is located in a free trade zone and outside the jurisdiction of the country. Transshipment through Karimun allows Russian companies to circumvent sanctions,” the department noted.

In particular, intelligence emphasized that at the port of Karimun, Russian oil products are mixed with oil products from other countries of origin. After that, the energy carriers are considered Indonesian, and Western sanctions do not apply to them. Subsequently, the oil products are re-exported to Singapore, Malaysia and China.

In particular, since the beginning of 2025, 590 thousand tons of fuel oil have been exported from the port of Ust-Luga (Russia) through Karimun (in January-March 2024 – about 100 thousand tons).

Also this year, for the first time, about 217 thousand tons of diesel were shipped from Russia to the port; 50 thousand tons of oil; 217 thousand tons of diesel fuel.

During March-April 2025, at least three cargoes arrived in Karymun on tankers that are under EU and UK sanctions.

“Intermediaries in the trade of sanctioned goods are little-known trading firms that often change their names before they arrive at their final destinations,” the intelligence service emphasized.

Read also: Britain will impose the largest sanctions against the Russian “shadow fleet”.