Back Rivieramm

First Russian diesel shipment to US in the making following sanctions waiver

Rivieramm • October 23, 2026

Signal Maritime freight analyst Georgios Sakellariou noted in a social media post on 23 October that 2019-built, 49,996-dwt MR2 tanker Agioi Fanendes was the first vessel to have loaded ultra-low-sulphur diesel (ULSD) at Russia’s Primorsk port, and was signalling New York as its destination on AIS.

The vessel is owned by Thanasis Martinos-led Eastern Mediterranean Maritime (Eastmed).

Eastmed told Riviera that the vessel was proceeding “for orders, as the discharging port is not confirmed yet”.

MarineTraffic data also reflect the uncertainty surrounding the vessel’s final destination. The tanker reported New York as its AIS destination on 22 October, but changed it to “for orders” the following day, leaving its ultimate destination unconfirmed, the platform said in a social media post.

MarineTraffic added that Agioi Fanendes had departed Primorsk carrying 40,000 tonnes of ULSD.

The vessel was last recorded sailing west through the Gulf of Finland.

Reuters reported that the cargo would be the first Russian petroleum-products shipment imported by the US since former President Joe Biden imposed a ban on Russian oil and petroleum-product imports in 2022.

Meanwhile, the TankerTrackers platform said on 23 October that it had identified three tankers carrying Russian diesel to the US.

“All three loaded at petroleum berths in Russia and are declaring the US as their destination,” it said.

On 9 October, the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued General License 135, authorising transactions involving the “sale, delivery, offloading, and importation” of Russian-origin diesel . OFAC defines a general licence as an authorisation for transactions that would otherwise be prohibited under US sanctions.

The licence runs until 7 April 2027.

According to US President Donald Trump, Russia would immediately export 300,000 tonnes, equivalent to 2.25M barrels, to the US and global markets, followed by 500,000 tonnes in November and a further 1M tonnes thereafter.

Reuters quoted Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak as saying that Moscow would be able to increase diesel exports to their usual levels of 3M-3.5M tonnes per month by the end of the year.

Citing Signal Ocean data, Xclusiv Shipbrokers said in a recent report that global seaborne refined-product shipments declined by 10.9% year on year between 1 August and 15 October.

The contraction, however, has coincided with a marked strengthening in tanker freight earnings. Between 3 August and 14 October, all 18 product-tanker routes monitored by the Baltic Exchange recorded gains, with LR2 and LR1 tankers leading the rally.

The MR tanker market has followed a similar upward trajectory, although significant geographical differences remain, Xclusiv said.

While declining cargo volumes would normally weaken vessel demand and freight rates, the opposite has occurred. Refinery disruptions, geopolitical developments and shifts in vessel employment have created a market increasingly driven by tonnage availability and geographical imbalances rather than underlying cargo growth, Xclusiv explained.

How the current tanker boom could be sowing the seeds of the bust

Decarbonisation amid a decade of disruption

ITS 2026 drops anchor in Scandinavia for the first time

DNV calls for pragmatism in IMO's net-zero framework emissions policy

EU’s 18th sanctions package targets flag registry and 'shadow fleet', cuts oil price cap

Update: world’s first dual-fuel methanol escort tug arrives in Canada

New digital tool released to help prevent whale strikes by commercial vessels

Boluda strengthens Indian Ocean towage, invests in Spanish terminal

US market: port expansions, new terminals, fleet renewals drive investment

Related to this Story

Greece's Pavimar places first order in a decade with four Kamsarmaxes in China

Tom Babinski becomes chief executive at 2020 Bulkers

Seatrium wins five-vessel Karpowership floating power plant conversion contract

Marco Polo Marine targets more work in the Korean offshore wind sector

Maritime Regulations Webinar Week

Floating energy: successfully unlocking stranded gas using FLNGs and FSRUs

The full story

This article is one source in a clustered incident — the cluster page carries the summary, timeline and every other outlet covering it.

EU Ships Carry Russian Diesel to US Amid Sanctions Controversy On October 23, reports emerged that the Agioi Fanendes, a Greek-owned tanker, was transporting 40,000 metric tons of Russian diesel to New York, despite ongoing EU sanctions. This shipment follows a deal made by U.S. President Donald Trump on October 9, which has drawn criticism from EU leaders. The tanker, which departed from Russia's Primorsk port, initially signaled New York as its destination but later changed its status to 'for orders,' indicating uncertainty about its final destination. EU sanctions allow for the transport of Russian oil only if purchased at or below a $100 per barrel price cap, a stipulation confirmed by Ukraine's sanctions chief. The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) issued a general license on October 9, permitting transactions involving Russian diesel until April 2027. This shipment marks the first Russian petroleum product import to the U.S. since a ban was imposed in 2022. The situation raises questions about compliance with both EU and U.S. sanctions, as well as the implications for international energy markets. 2 sources 46

Extracted Entities

Countries (3)

Canada Greece Russia