Russia will import gasoline by sea due to shortage, Reuters

Russia plans to import fuel by sea this month in an attempt to cope with a gasoline shortage after a series of drone attacks on its refineries, four industry sources.

This information was provided by Reuters.

The move is a rare move for one of the world’s largest exporters of oil and refined products, with Russia expected to receive a shipment of gasoline through one of its western ports in June, the sources said.

One of the sources said the gasoline would come from Asia but did not give details on volumes or suppliers.

Russia considered importing fuel by sea last year, another source said, but domestic supplies were ultimately sufficient. But supplies this year have been limited by months of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian refineries, pipelines and fuel storage facilities. The latest attacks include the TANEKO refinery and the Moscow refinery, which halted processing at both plants.

Media reports have reported fuel shortages in about a dozen regions in Russia, according to data compiled by Reuters. Crimea, annexed by Russia, and two Siberian regions have officially confirmed shortages. The government has announced a ban on gasoline exports for fuel producers until the end of July, which will help maximize needed supplies during the summer months when demand is high.

Moscow has also imported fuel from neighboring Belarus to address the shortage and has in the past turned to Kazakhstan for small volumes. However, the sources added, neither country has enough spare capacity to support Russia in the event of a deeper supply crisis.

One of them said that imports by sea could also be only a temporary measure and are unlikely to provide significant volumes due to logistical problems and high prices.

According to industry sources, the country exported almost 5 million tons of gasoline last year, or about 117,000 barrels per day.

USM previously reported that Russia is reducing oil exports from ports by almost half due to fuel shortages and strikes on refineries.