US sanctions on Russian diesel tankers raise concerns over energy trade and rerouted shipments, complicating the implementation of a recent agreement.
Serious issues are arising in the implementation of the diesel fuel agreement reached between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in October. The rerouting of tankers departing from Russia's Primorsk Port to the U.S. has increased uncertainties regarding the future of energy trade between the two countries.
According to a Reuters report dated November 9, 2026, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Aleksandr Pankin stated that the diesel fuel agreement could serve as a foundation for the re-establishment of commercial relations between the two countries. However, it remains unclear whether shipments can actually be carried out.
Two tankers have departed from the U.S. route.
According to a report by the Associated Press based on vessel tracking data, two tankers that left Russia's Primorsk Port on the Baltic Sea initially indicated U.S. East Coast ports as their destination but have since changed their routes.
The Russian-flagged Talisman tanker is heading from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean, while the Sierra Leone-flagged Leruo has altered its destination to Brazil.
A third tanker, the Maltese-flagged Agioi Fanendes, continues its journey in the North Atlantic but has updated its reported destination from New York to 'for orders.' In maritime transport, this expression indicates that the ship's exact discharge port has not yet been determined.
Concerns over sanctions at U.S. ports.
One of the main obstacles to shipments is the legal status of U.S. sanctions on Russian petroleum products.
While the U.S. Treasury Department has granted temporary permission for the sale, transport, and import of Russian diesel under certain conditions, the validity of the Russian energy products import ban that came into effect in 2022 remains a topic of debate.
New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill has warned port and terminal operators in the state not to accept vessels carrying Russian fuel.
Some members of the U.S. Congress have also argued that banks facilitating the import of Russian diesel, port operators, and energy companies could face legal sanctions.
The U.S. administration, however, states that the temporary permit is in accordance with existing regulations.
The future of the 1.8 million-ton agreement is uncertain.
Trump announced after his meeting with Putin on October 9 that Russia would initially supply more than 300,000 tons of diesel to the U.S. and international markets.
The plan included the provision of 500,000 tons in November, followed by an additional 1 million tons in subsequent phases.
This was aimed at reducing rising fuel prices in the U.S. with a total diesel supply exceeding 1.8 million tons.
However, due to the rerouting of tankers and the legal uncertainties at U.S. ports, there has been no confirmed delivery to the U.S. under the agreement.
Moscow: Diesel will definitely find buyers.
The Russian government does not accept assessments that the shipments have failed.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitriy Peskov stated that the details of commercial shipments cannot be disclosed and expressed confidence that Russian diesel will find buyers.
Putin's special representative Kirill Dmitriyev also rejected reports that tankers had deviated from the U.S. route.
In contrast, data from Kpler and MarineTraffic reveal that at least two tankers have indeed departed from their initially reported U.S. route.
Turkey as an alternative market.
If Russian diesel fails to reach U.S. ports, there is a possibility of redirecting the cargo to alternative markets.
Turkey, Brazil, and Morocco are among the potential alternative markets for Russian petroleum products.
Turkey's position in the trade of Russian petroleum products is particularly significant for determining the new destinations of the tankers. However, there is no confirmed information that the rerouted tankers will discharge their cargo at a port in Turkey.
Eyes on tankers' new routes in maritime transport.
The developments indicate that the decisions on sanctions in international tanker transport directly affect not only commercial contracts but also the vessels' navigation plans and discharge ports.
While the future of the agreement between the U.S. and Russia remains uncertain, the questions of which countries the cargoes will be delivered to and how the Washington administration will overcome legal obstacles are among the topics closely monitored by the industry.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
