Tanker Linked to Trump's Russian Diesel Waiver Pauses off U.S. East Coast

A Greek-owned tanker believed to be carrying a cargo of Russian diesel fuel appears to have paused a planned voyage to the United States, based on AIS data.

The product tanker Agioi Fanendes is one of several vessels believed to have loaded diesel at a Russian Baltic Sea terminal for delivery to the U.S. East Coast or Gulf Coast, part of an agreement between the Kremlin and the White House to free up scarce Russian distillate supplies for international sale. The U.S. produces more middle distillates than it can consume, but because of soaring global wholesale prices and a booming export market, domestic pump prices for diesel have hit historic highs across the United States - despite a regional abundance of the fuel.

Last month, ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, President Donald Trump reached an agreement to waive sanctions on Russian diesel fuel and import comparatively small quantities into the U.S. market - about 2.2 million barrels in October, 3.7 million in November and another 7.4 million barrels thereafter. The U.S. consumes about 120 million barrels of diesel per month.

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