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Russian Diesel Heads Back to Türkiye and Brazil After Trump Deal Ends Export Ban
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Russian diesel exports are heading back to primary destinations following a temporary pause in US sanctions and the removal of a Russian export ban.
Shipping records from Kpler and LSEG indicate that at least two tankers have recently signaled routes toward Türkiye and Brazil, as reported by Reuters.
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Russia lifted its self-imposed ban on diesel exports on October 9. The restriction had been introduced to manage domestic fuel shortages resulting from drone strikes on refineries, which help fund Moscow’s war against Ukraine.
The decision to lift the ban followed an agreement with US President Donald Trump aimed at supplying diesel to international markets.
The arrangement included a temporary pause on US sanctions affecting Russian fuel deliveries, while import embargos enforced by the European Union and the United Kingdom remain active.
The action was intended to stabilize global diesel prices ahead of the upcoming US midterm elections on November 3, according to Reuters. Diesel serves as a vital resource for global transportation, agriculture, and industrial operations.
As the second-largest global exporter of diesel behind the United States, Russia had already reduced its overall export volumes over the summer prior to enacting the official ban. Russian diesel shipments have averaged roughly 345,000 barrels per day this year, marking a 41% decrease compared to the previous year.
Tanker tracking data shows that the vessel Leruo departed from the Russian Baltic port of Primorsk on October 16, bound for Manaus, Brazil.
Another vessel, the Dolunay, left Primorsk on October 14 carrying a cargo directed toward Alanya, Türkiye. Each ship is carrying 300,000 barrels of diesel. Morocco has also resumed receiving Russian diesel imports following the policy change, Reuters reported.
Throughout this year, Türkiye has accounted for approximately 34% of Russia's diesel shipments, with Brazil taking 24% and Morocco receiving 10%.
“With the return of Russian supplies, established trade routes are the most logical place where these barrels should go first. I also expect Russia to prioritize customers who can quickly absorb significant volumes rather than spending time developing new sales markets when global diesel availability remains constrained,” said Michelle Brouchard, head of geopolitical risk at Kpler.
In Türkiye, local fuel distributors reduced their purchases from domestic refineries in anticipation of incoming Russian shipments, according to three industry sources. Representatives for Tupras and Socar, the operators of Türkiye’s primary oil refineries, did not respond to requests for comment, according to Reuters.
Previously, US President Donald Trump urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a September 20 phone call to stop targeting Russian oil refineries due to rising diesel prices and global shortages.
Although Ukrainian drone strikes impacted the market, restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remained the main cause of the diesel crisis. During the exchange, Trump repeatedly emphasized the need to lower fuel costs and allow Russian energy supplies to reach international markets.
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