Two diesel cargoes sailing from Russia to South America changed their destination, arriving in Brazil and not Chile, which will not receive Russian fuel unloadings.
The information was provided by Reuters news agency which, in previous days, based on information from different market sources and Refinitiv Eikon’s ship monitoring data, pointed out that the vessels would arrive at terminals located in Guayacán, Coquimbo, which didn’t happen.
Thus, the agency said the ships that had set Chile as their destination changed to Brazilian terminals.
Russia has exported fuel to many countries that previously imported little or none of their oil since the European Union banned Russian fuel imports in February under sanctions to punish Russia for invading Ukraine.
In Latin America, where fuel imports have recovered to pre-pandemic levels, Brazil has become the leading importer of Russian diesel cargoes.
Eikon data say that Cuba has also increased purchases of Russian crude and fuel.
SHIPS
The Liberian-flagged tanker Oscar departed Russia’s Primorsk terminal earlier this month with diesel for South America.
This vessel indicated Chile as its destination but then switched to the Brazilian port of Suape, now waiting to unload.
St. Kitts and Nevis-flagged tanker Zeynep also loaded in Primorsk and listed several countries, including Chile, as intended destinations, before arriving off the coast of Brazil this week.
A third diesel cargo departed Primorsk this month with diesel, the Malta-flagged Zoilo, which is also crossing the Atlantic Ocean bound for Brazil.
RESTRICTIONS
Brazil has no restrictions on imports of Russian diesel.
However, some companies avoid buying Russian fuel due to internal compliance rules.
It was not immediately clear which companies chartered the ships to Brazil.
Reuters indicated that Enap, Copec, and Enex said they had not purchased fuel cargoes originating in Russia.
One of these companies also contacted PortalPortuario to rule out any such operation.
With information from Portal Portuário
News Brazil, English news Brazil, Russian diesel cargo