Bloomberg’s vessel-tracking data showed no Russian diesel cargo had reached the United States by Nov. 11, while a tanker carrying the fuel changed course before reaching New York.
The Malta-flagged Agioi Fanendes reversed direction roughly 400 nautical miles from New York, Bloomberg reported. It carried about 300,000 barrels of Russian diesel, equivalent to 40,000 metric tons.
President Donald Trump said in an Oct. 9 Truth Social post that Russia would provide more than 300,000 tons immediately, 500,000 tons in November and one million tons “immediately thereafter.” He described the destination as the “American and Global Marketplace,” but did not identify a buyer or specify a U.S. share. The Independent reported that Trump announced the arrangement as part of an effort to lower U.S. energy costs ahead of the midterm elections. The outlet also reported that the plan had not reduced prices before the vote.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License 135 on Oct. 9. It authorizes covered transactions involving Russian-origin diesel, including U.S. imports, through 12:01 a.m. EDT Apr. 7, 2027. The license does not identify a buyer or confirm that the tanker was covered.
New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill warned on Nov. 2 that businesses and individuals could face civil and criminal penalties over unloading Russian diesel. Her official statement told port operators, intermediaries and buyers, “do not help bring illegal Russian diesel into New Jersey.”
Reuters reported, citing two industry sources, that Ukrainian attacks since late October had hit refineries with combined capacity equal to about 30% of Russia’s total refining capacity. The Independent quoted former U.S. Assistant Treasury Secretary Ben Harris as saying, “you can’t find a buyer for Russian diesel.”
The vessel’s change of course follows earlier reports of tankers moving away from routes toward the U.S. Atlantic coast. EconoTimes has covered the earlier reported tanker route changes, which the Financial Times reported.
