Russia’s Black Sea diesel exports fall to zero for first time on record

Russia's diesel and gasoil exports through the Black Sea have ceased for the first time in recorded history, as a nationwide export ban continues to disrupt trade flows from the major global producer, according to S&P Global Commodities at Sea data. The embargo, which was extended through the end of October, has had a significant impact on Russia's diesel/gasoil shipments, with the product now only loaded at the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk, destined for Morocco and Venezuela.

In the week to September 24, Russia shipped just 66,000 mt of diesel/gasoil through the Black Sea, down from 81,000 mt the previous week, and a fraction of the 200,000 mt sent during the same period last year. The halt in exports has coincided with a broader slump in Russian diesel/gasoil shipments, which saw total volumes almost halve to 81,000 mt in the week to September 24.

While other oil products, including unspecified clean products and naphtha, continued to be shipped, jet fuel and gasoline did not depart the country for the second consecutive week. The trend has been exacerbated by recent refinery attacks, with the country's Ilsky, Slavyansk, Perm and Novoshakhtinsk facilities all targeted by Ukrainian drones.

US President Donald Trump has called for Ukraine to ease its attacks on Russian refineries, blaming the disruption for rising diesel prices. In response to the crisis, Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, signed a decree on September 28 that restricts access to and distribution of energy data, including refinery throughput, export and logistics traffic.