Easing US sanctions did not help Russia increase seaborne oil shipments

The key limiting factor was disruptions in port infrastructure, primarily in Primorsk and Ust-Luga.

In March 2026, Russia failed to increase the volume of oil shipments through its ports, despite the partial easing of sanctions by the United States. This was reported by the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine.

Overall, oil transshipment in Russian ports in March decreased to 3.46 million barrels per day compared to 3.49 million barrels per day in February.

Similar dynamics were observed in the oil products segment: the figure decreased to 2.19 million barrels per day from 2.21 million barrels per day a month earlier.

The SWR noted that the determining reasons were infrastructure restrictions and force majeure circumstances in key export hubs.

The most noticeable decline was recorded in Primorsk, where shipments fell from over 1.1 million barrels per day to 732 thousand barrels per day at the end of March.

A significant reduction also occurred in Ust-Luga. Between March 25 and 31, oil exports through this port fell to 105 thousand barrels per day, compared to 471 thousand barrels per day a week earlier.

In addition, at the end of the month, shipments of petroleum products in Ust-Luga effectively stopped.

At the beginning of the month, the Russians tried to partially restore the terminal. However, on the night of April 7, Ust-Luga came under attack again by drones.

According to USM, at least 30% of the oil tanks in the port of Ust-Luga were hit.