New Jersey Governor Urges Ports Not to Accept Tankers with Russian Diesel

New Jersey Governor Mickey Sherrill has urged ports and terminal operators in the state not to accept tankers carrying Russian diesel fuel.

Sherrill said such imports could violate U.S. federal law, CBS News reported.

In a letter dated November 2, Sherrill recalled that in 2022, the U.S. Congress banned the import of Russian energy resources after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The governor said the state government would use available legal and regulatory mechanisms to prevent the acceptance of Russian diesel fuel at ports and other facilities in New Jersey.

According to her, Russia has already sent several tankers carrying diesel fuel to the United States, and at least one vessel is likely headed to New Jersey.

Sherrill warned port operators of possible sanctions and criminal liability if they participate in illegal imports and urged them to turn away such tankers.

Earlier, on October 9, the US Treasury Department issued a temporary general license that allows the supply of Russian diesel fuel to the world market. At the same time, Sherrill argues that the president and the Treasury Department cannot independently lift the restrictions imposed by Congress.

 Greenpeace previously tracked six tankers carrying Russian diesel fuel heading to the US.