Russia exports diesel fuel to Saudi Arabia through ship-to-ship operations

Russia is increasing its supplies of diesel fuel to Saudi Arabia. In addition to direct supplies, the Russian Federation also uses STS operations.

In this way, russian diesel exporters are trying to save money after the EU imposed a full embargo on russian oil products in February. Currently, russian diesel exports are being sent to Africa and Asia instead of neighboring European countries, Reuters reports citing market sources and Refinitiv data.

In February, russia began direct export of diesel to Saudi Arabia, sending about 190,000 tons to the ports of Ras Tanura and Jeddah. STS loads help russia shorten routes and can save time, one of the traders said.

According to Refinitiv data, about 99,000 tons of diesel loaded in February at the port of Primorsk were transferred from ship to ship near the port of Kalamata to the tanker Dimitri. It is bound for the port of Ras Tanura in Saudi Arabia.

Another 30,000 tons of DP from the Butterfly tanker, loaded in the russian Black Sea port of Tuapse, were transshipped by the STS method near the Kalamata port to the Aether tanker. He, in turn, went to the port of Jizan.

Sources in the market also said that the russian diesel fuel supplied to Saudi Arabia will most likely be processed and exported.