Another tanker carrying Russian diesel changes course en route to U.S. – Bloomberg

The tanker Agioi Fanendes, carrying roughly 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low-sulfur diesel, altered its route away from the U.S. East Coast on Monday, according to port reports and vessel-tracking data. The ship, operated by Eastern Mediterranean Maritime Ltd., has been navigating slowly, continually changing its course.

Interest in Russian diesel shipments has increased since a reported agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump in the previous month, to supply fuel to the U.S. and global markets. Critics, mostly U.S. Democrats, argue that the deal helps finance Russia's war against Ukraine. However, there has been no confirmed delivery of Russian diesel to the U.S. so far.

The vessel initially set out from the Russian Baltic port of Primorsk in late October, listing New York as its destination. However, it later changed its destination to "for orders." The Agioi Fanendes is still sailing under that status because its discharge port has not been confirmed, as confirmed by its operator.

Russia announced last month that four tankers were loaded with diesel destined for the United States under the Putin-Trump arrangement. Yet, concerns persist about Russia's ability to export the promised volumes of diesel amid ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. Bloomberg estimates that six Russian refineries have been targeted since early November, with a combined processing capacity of about 1.7 million barrels per day.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak stated in late October that Russia planned to export over 2 million metric tons of diesel to global markets in November, acknowledging that Ukrainian strikes could reduce the volumes of fuel available for export. Two tankers previously sent from Russia to the United States under the diesel deal have altered their destinations.