Over 60% of Russian tankers hit by sanctions have stopped operating
14.02.2025 - 13:41
The latest U.S. sanctions against Russia have grounded dozens of tankers carrying Russian oil.
About 60 percent (94 of 154) of the active tankers blacklisted by the Biden administration last month have stopped transporting oil, Bloomberg reported.
Another seven vessels were under construction or undergoing sea trials.
The measures, taken by the United States on Jan. 10, are forcing Russia to reorganize its oil supply chain to find other vessels not yet sanctioned — and pay higher freight rates.
While there is no indication yet that the sanctions have directly affected production, the Russian tanker fleet is clearly being disrupted. About half of the idled vessels tracked by Bloomberg became inactive as soon as they were added to the sanctions list.
What will happen to the remaining tankers that were sanctioned on January 10 and are still operating is unknown.
Of the 44 tankers that took on cargoes after being blacklisted, 20 operate exclusively in Russia. Another nine are specialized vessels used by two projects on Sakhalin Island in Russia’s Far East, most of which are trying to unload their cargoes.
USM previously reported that Turkey’s largest refinery, Tupras, is abandoning Russian oil due to sanctions.
