Russia to receive almost 270,000 tons of refined fuel from Asia in August, data shows

Russia is importing almost 270,000 metric tons of refined fuels from ship-to-ship ​transfers in Asia in August, according ​to preliminary shipping data and trade sources, as it seeks ​to ease fuel shortages due to Ukrainian attacks on its oil refineries.

Typically a net fuel exporter, Russia has been forced to turn to imports after persistent Ukrainian strikes on its ‌energy facilities in the ⁠past ⁠few months led to lower refining output, causing fuel shortages across the country.

About a third of ​the nearly 270,000-ton refined fuel destined for Russia from Asia in August originated from India, with ​the rest loaded off the coast of countries such as South Korea and Malaysia, according to the data and sources.


The shipments, arranged by traders, have ​been transferred between tankers likely to mask their origins ⁠and routes ‌as trade with Russia could trigger Western sanctions, the sources ​said. The data showed ​no such shipment arrivals in Russia in July.

Two of ⁠these tankers are set to arrive in Russia's Far ​East this week, according to data from shiptrackers Vortexa and ​Kpler and trade sources.

One of them is carrying at least 40,000 tons of jet fuel loaded near Malaysia's Johor Strait via a ship-to-ship transfer, according to data from two trade sources. One of the sources said the cargo originated from India.

The second tanker loaded nearly 30,000 tons of gasoline via ship-to-ship transfer off ‌Yeosu in South Korea in early August, according to data from shiptracker Kpler and three sources.

Nearly 30,000 metric tons of ​refined fuels that ​loaded in late July ⁠were shipped to Russia from South Korea. Japan, in coordination with the Group of Seven countries and others, has banned jet fuel exports to Russia including shipments via ​third countries or transferred at sea.

Moscow banned gasoline exports in April, jet fuel exports in June and diesel in early July, further extending the gasoline and diesel export bans to January next year to ease the domestic shortages.