Democratic Senators Warn Seaports Not to Handle Russian Diesel

Senior Democrats in the House and Senate are warning American banks, ports and energy companies to steer clear of any cargoes of Russian diesel that may be headed towards U.S. shores.

On October 9, the Trump administration announced a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to lift sanctions on Russian diesel, a long-shot bid to reduce prices for fuel ahead of midterm elections. The U.S. Treasury says that the cargo import arrangements are legal - but in a letter obtained by Axios and Bloomberg, six senior Democratic lawmakers (and one departing Republican senator) have warned ports that the activity "may be subject to legal action, as well as congressional investigation."

The letter was sent to the ports of Houston, Beaumont, Corpus Christi and New York/New Jersey, as well as six of the largest Wall Street banks. It warns them all to avoid touching any Russian diesel cargoes arriving in the U.S. market or headed to any markets overseas.

The letter cites the Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act of 2022, which banned all Russian energy products from the United States. Waiving the Act would require the consent of Congress and the president's certification that the war in Ukraine is over - circumstances which have not yet occurred. Critics of the diesel deal suggest that the Act has not been waived, and that Russian fuel imports are therefore against the law.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →