At least four tanker loads of Russian diesel are being offered to Brazilian fuel distributors for delivery this month, said Sergio Araujo, president of the Brazilian fuel importers group Abicom, after domestic political and legal opposition derailed plans to ship the cargoes to the largest US petroleum hub.
No tanker carrying Russian diesel has reached US shores despite the Treasury Department’s General License 135, which waived sanctions through April 2027 following an October supply agreement between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. US companies, banks and port operators have avoided the fuel after bipartisan lawmakers and New Jersey Governor Mikie Sherrill warned that the waiver does not override a 2022 federal law banning Russian petroleum imports.
The tanker Leruo has already signaled Brazil as its destination, while the Talisman entered the Mediterranean and the Agioi Fanendes, carrying about 40,000 metric tons of ultra-low sulfur diesel from Primorsk, made a U-turn roughly 400 nautical miles off New York.
