Russian tankers indicate Singapore as their destination, which does not import oil from Russia
10.02.2026 - 12:00
Tankers carrying Russian oil are increasingly naming Singapore as their official destination, which does not import Russian oil.
Tankers linked to Russia are increasingly naming Singapore as their official destination, which does not import Russian oil, Reuters reported.
Tankers carrying about 1.4 million tonnes of Russian crude oil set sail for Singapore in January, the highest monthly volume in years, according to LSEG.
At the same time, Singapore does not import Russian oil due to sanctions risks, traders said, but its nearby waters are sometimes used for ship-to-ship oil transfers.
Traders added that many ships end up unloading oil near Malaysia or reloading it onto floating storage facilities, with Singapore often used as a temporary destination to disguise the ultimate buyers.
According to traders, tankers heading to India previously indicated Egypt’s Port Said or the Suez Canal as their destination.
One Russian trader told Reuters that the increase in the number of ships indicating Singapore, Suez or Port Said as their destination indicated growing difficulties in selling oil and a shrinking pool of reliable buyers.
USM previously reported that Singapore was calling for international cooperation to combat the “shadow fleet”.
