Russian Oil Flows Surge in Sign US Sanctions Starting to Crumble
Tankers stir after year-long hiatus to load key Pacific grade ESPO
This article is for subscribers only.
US sanctions on Russia’s oil tanker fleet are showing signs of faltering, after a clutch of blacklisted vessels loaded cargoes for the first time in more than a year to drive up the country’s crude shipments.
Washington’s measures have been instrumental in restricting Moscow’s ability to ship its oil and raise funds for the war in Ukraine. But in recent days, three blacklisted vessels loaded cargoes of Russia’s flagship Pacific grade and sailed from the country’s main regional port. And satellite imagery suggests that more ships are leaving anchorages west of the port of Nakhodka, where they’ve idled since being sanctioned.