Tankers carrying Russian diesel to the US are changing their declared routes one by one

Amid the Democrats’ victory in the midterm elections in Congress, American terminals are in no hurry to accept cargo.

Three tankers with Russian diesel fuel, which were heading to the United States, changed their declared destinations. This is evidenced by data from the Marine Traffic and Windward tracking systems as of November 3.

These are the Agioi Fanendes, Talisman and Leruo vessels, which together carry about 140 thousand tons of fuel.

The Agioi Fanendes, under the Maltese flag, loaded about 40 thousand tons of diesel fuel in Primorsk, Russia, on October 22 and was initially headed for New York. Physically, the vessel is still moving towards the American coast, but the system already indicates the status “awaiting orders”.

Talisman passed the Strait of Gibraltar, entered the Mediterranean Sea and also changed to the status “awaiting orders”. The Sierra Leone-flagged Leruo changed its direction to “Brazil, awaiting instructions” — previously, its arrival in the United States was expected on November 11.

Both of these vessels are under sanctions by the United States, the United Kingdom, or the European Union.

A change in the AIS record in itself does not confirm the final destination. The vessel can receive new instructions already during the voyage, so for now it is correct to talk about a change in the declared directions.

On the eve, New Jersey Governor Mickey Sherrill warned the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and local terminal operators against accepting Russian diesel. The companies, in turn, fear the legal consequences of such purchases.

The initial goal of the deal has not yet been achieved. Trump’s agreement with Putin on October 9 was to bring down fuel prices before the midterm elections on November 3. The election has taken place, but diesel in the US still costs $6.29 per gallon. In total, the price of fuel has increased from $3.55 since the beginning of the year, or 78%.

Meanwhile, Moscow is announcing an increase in supplies. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced plans to export about 2.15 million tons of diesel to various world markets in November.

As USM reported, Greenpeace previously tracked six tankers with Russian diesel heading to the US.