The Dolunay tanker, carrying 300,000 barrels of diesel, departs for Turkey as Russia resumes diesel exports after easing restrictions.
Following Russia's easing of restrictions on diesel exports, tanker shipments to Turkey and Brazil have resumed. The tanker named Dolunay, carrying approximately 300,000 barrels of diesel, departed from Russia's Primorsk Port on the Baltic Sea and is headed to Turkey's Alanya district.
According to data from ship tracking and maritime data companies Kpler and LSEG, Dolunay left Primorsk Port on October 14. The reported destination of the tanker is Alanya, and this shipment is among the first significant diesel loadings to Turkey following the relaxation of Russia's export restrictions.
Two tankers carry a total of 600,000 barrels of diesel.
Another tanker departing from Russia, named Leruo, left Primorsk Port on October 16 and is headed to Manaus, Brazil.
It has been reported that both tankers are carrying approximately 300,000 barrels of diesel each, bringing the total shipment amount to 600,000 barrels.
Turkey and Brazil have been among the largest buyers of Russian diesel since the beginning of 2023. Following the sanctions imposed by Western countries on Russia, the share of these two countries in changing oil product trade routes has significantly increased.
Turkey imports 34% of Russian diesel.
According to Kpler data, Turkey has received approximately 34% of the diesel shipments made by Russia since the beginning of 2026.
Shipments to Turkey have been occurring at an average daily rate of 95,000 barrels, while Brazil's share has been 24%, amounting to 66,000 barrels per day.
Morocco holds about a 10% share in Russia's diesel exports. Following the easing of export restrictions, shipments to Morocco have also reportedly resumed.
Russia eased the export ban on October 9.
Russia had limited diesel exports to maintain fuel supply in the domestic market following drone attacks on Ukraine's oil refineries.
Due to production losses at refinery facilities and supply shortages in the domestic market, export volumes decreased during the summer months, and the Moscow administration later imposed restrictions on diesel sales abroad.
Following an agreement reached with the United States, Russia began to ease export restrictions on October 9. The temporary suspension of some sanctions on Russian diesel by the U.S. also enabled the resumption of international shipments.
In contrast, the European Union and the United Kingdom's import bans on Russian oil products remain in effect.
Russia's diesel exports decreased by 41%.
As one of the world's largest diesel exporters, Russia's shipments to foreign markets have significantly declined due to refinery attacks and export restrictions.
Since the beginning of 2026, Russia's diesel exports have averaged 345,000 barrels per day. This figure indicates a 41% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Between October 11 and 20, approximately 210,000 tons, or 1.56 million barrels, of diesel were shipped from Russia.
With the resumption of exports, it is expected that Russia will prioritize its traditional customers, while Turkey and Brazil continue to maintain their significance in diesel trade.
Shipments to Turkey have resumed.
The reintroduction of Russian diesel to international markets is considered a significant development in Turkey's fuel supply.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar had previously announced that a portion of the diesel that Russia would offer to international markets would come to Turkey.
The Dolunay tanker reporting Alanya as its destination has become one of the tangible developments reflected in maritime transportation data following this announcement.
However, the tanker indicating Alanya as its destination does not mean that the diesel load has been discharged in Turkey. Confirmation of the completion of the shipment requires the disclosure of the vessel's port movements and unloading information.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
