Russia’s seaborne diesel and gasoil exports fell by 20% to about 1.1 million metric tons in the first 15 days of October from the same period in September due to ongoing seasonal maintenance of refineries and a fuel export ban, data from traders and LSEG showed.

Idle primary oil refining capacity for October is estimated at 4.0 million tons, down 22% from September, according to Reuters calculations.
Russia temporarily banned exports of gasoline and ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) from Sept. 21 to cope with a domestic market shortage, although gasoil and marine diesel export shipments were allowed.

The embargo was partially lifted from Oct. 9, with Russia resuming ULSD seaborne exports.

Due to the export ban, diesel loadings via the Russian Baltic port of Primorsk, the country’s biggest outlet for exports of ULSD, have fallen in the first 15 days of October by 22% from the same period in September to 330,000 metric tons.

So far in October, Turkey remains the top destination for diesel exports from Russian ports, taking about 25% of total supplies, or nearly 280,000 metric tons, LSEG shipping data showed.

Diesel loadings from Russia to Brazil have totalled about 211,000 metric tons since the start of this month – down by 20% from Sept. 1-15.

According to LSEG data, the leading importers of Russian diesel in Africa so far this month have been Togo (72,000 metric tons), Tunisia (66,000 metric tons) and Libya (65,000 metric tons).

About 120,000 tonnes of Russian diesel are destined since the start of this month for ship-to-ship (STS) loadings near Malta and the Greek port of Kalamata.

Another 90,000 tonnes of diesel loaded in Russian ports in October does not yet have a confirmed destination.

All the shipping data above is based on the date of cargo departure.

Source: Reuters reported by Reuters and edited by Sharon Singleton