Seven tankers carrying 288,000 tonnes of Russian diesel sail towards US amid legal uncertainty

Tankers tracked across the Atlantic

Greenpeace is monitoring seven tankers carrying Russian diesel towards the US. Earlier reports had identified three vessels departing oil terminals in the Baltic Sea, but the group says its work draws on a wider range of sources, including shipping-tracking websites.

The tanker Taurus was relatively close to the US when the map was first published. Five other vessels were near the UK, and three were sailing through or entering the English Channel.

Legal risks for US handlers

Reports say the White House has sought to encourage US firms to take the oil. Whether buyers are willing to do so remains unclear amid the legal risks and the approach of next Tuesday’s midterm elections.

A shift in US policy

Western economies, including the US, EU and UK, imposed waves of sanctions on Russia after Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This autumn, Trump changed course and pursued closer cooperation with Putin, although Russia has continued attacks on Ukraine.

Trump has said the Russia deal could help bring down diesel prices. The American Automobile Association reported that the price per gallon rose from $6.28 when the agreement was announced to $6.33.

Exports kept under wraps

The Kremlin has sought to limit information about recent oil exports. A presidential decree issued at the end of September restricted the publication of export information in an effort to evade international sanctions.

In a separate attack in Ukraine, the state railway company Ukrzaliznytsia said a high-speed, jet-powered drone struck as a commuter train was preparing to leave Dnipro’s main station. The daytime strike occurred at about 11am, and bodies were reported scattered at the scene.