THE Spanish government said an initial inquiry found no evidence to justify allegations that the country imported sanctioned Russian diesel, reported Bloomberg.
Repsol, Spain's big oil refiner, complained that several tankers recently brought in fuel to the country via north Africa and Turkey. Such shipments were outlawed in early February as part of European Union measures to punish Russia for the invasion of Ukraine.
While initial findings of an inquiry showed all documentation was in order for the shipments, the government will continue checking, said Spanish Energy Minister Teresa Ribera.
Repsol officials said the imports distort markets and give an unfair advantage to firms who flout the rules. Russia's diesel is typically sold in wholesale markets at deep discounts, according to data from Argus Media, offering an incentive to cheat.
Newspaper El Mundo reported that at least two ships are suspected of having offloaded Russian fuel in Spanish ports.
Ms Ribera is also preparing a letter to her counterparts in Europe to request a coordinated strategy to prevent Russian imports. She will also ask the European Commission to create a new certification and traceability system, requiring documentary evidence of the ports and refineries that supplied the fuel.
SeaNews Turkey
Repsol, Spain's big oil refiner, complained that several tankers recently brought in fuel to the country via north Africa and Turkey. Such shipments were outlawed in early February as part of European Union measures to punish Russia for the invasion of Ukraine.
While initial findings of an inquiry showed all documentation was in order for the shipments, the government will continue checking, said Spanish Energy Minister Teresa Ribera.
Repsol officials said the imports distort markets and give an unfair advantage to firms who flout the rules. Russia's diesel is typically sold in wholesale markets at deep discounts, according to data from Argus Media, offering an incentive to cheat.
Newspaper El Mundo reported that at least two ships are suspected of having offloaded Russian fuel in Spanish ports.
Ms Ribera is also preparing a letter to her counterparts in Europe to request a coordinated strategy to prevent Russian imports. She will also ask the European Commission to create a new certification and traceability system, requiring documentary evidence of the ports and refineries that supplied the fuel.
SeaNews Turkey